Field study boosts GI hopes for Balanagar Sitaphal.
A team from Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University has begun a detailed field study to secure Geographical Indication (GI) registration for the renowned Balanagar custard apple (Sitaphal), a variety celebrated for its size, sweetness, and nutrient-rich pulp. The study, conducted in collaboration with GI facilitator Subhajit Saha, NABARD officials, and local farmer leaders, covers several villages in the forested regions of Mahabubnagar district, where this unique fruit is primarily grown.
Source: siasat.com
Agriculture exports showing strong growth, up 30% on a 3-month average (YoY): Report.
India's agriculture exports are showing strong growth, increasing by 30 per cent year-on-year on a 3-month moving average (3mma) basis in volume terms, according to a report by SBI Mutual Funds. The report data tracks the yearly growth rate in agricultural exports since April 2019. Over the past few months, the export volume has picked up pace sharply.
Source: tribuneindia.com
Govt to launch pan-India farmers awareness campaign from May 29 to boost Kharif output.
With ensuing kharif sowing season, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced a pan-India 15-day campaign starting May 29 to educate and create awareness among 1-1.5 crore farmers about modern technology and new seed varieties. The minister also announced that the Centre will consider making amendments in Seeds Act, 1966 to curb sales of spurious seeds and protect farmers interest.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Mangoes of Konkan exported abroad from Mopa’s cargo hub.
The creation of an air cargo logistics hub at the Manohar International Airport has kickstarted the export of mangoes from the Konkan region. The season’s first shipment, containing 3,368kg of Alphonso mangoes, was sent to Sharjah on an Air Arabia flight. A total of 600 tonnes of mangoes are expected to be exported to Europe and the UAE in the coming months, said GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) officials.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
No minimum import duty condition on British alcohol under India-UK FTA: Official.
India has not included the MIP (minimum import price) provision for British alcoholic beverages in the free trade agreement between the two countries as demanded by domestic liquor manufacturers, a government official said on Thursday. The domestic industry has consistently sought a level playing field through the inclusion of an MIP, arguing that it would help curb dumping and under-invoicing by foreign companies.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Nuts and Dry Fruits Council begins importing high-yielding walnut, cashew seedlings to increase domestic output.
The Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFC-I) has begun getting high-yield walnut and cashew seedlings from other nations to grow them in the country and become self-reliant in these products’ production, council president Gunjan Jain said. 'Last year, we started these small projects of getting the plantation done in India. We got the government to agree to let us import high-quality planting material with quarantine norms, because India doesn’t have high-quality planting material. So we’re looking at increasing walnut plantations in India (along with cashew),' he told businessline in an online interaction.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
DPIIT and Hafele India Sign MoU to Boost Manufacturing Innovation and Localized Supply Chains.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Hafele India Pvt. Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 07 May 2025 in New Delhi, to strengthen India’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem by empowering product startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to building resilient local supply chains and accelerating India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub. Under this strategic collaboration, Hafele will drive initiatives that support product innovation, local sourcing, and entrepreneurship through targeted investments, mentorship, and integration into global value chains.
Source: pib.gov.in
Cheaper chocolates, cosmetics, soft drinks from UK no threat to India’s local industry.
India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK will allow imports of cosmetics, soft drinks and chocolates at concessional duties but officials ruled out any surge in their shipments that could impact domestic industry. However, Scotch whisky imports are expected to grow as India has halved the tariffs to 75% immediately and 40% after ten years of the agreement.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
Govt sets record 169 million tonnes foodgrain production target for kharif 2025.
The government has set foodgrain production target of 168.88 million tonnes (mt) for the kharif 2025 cropping season. This is up 1.5 per cent from the corresponding previous season’s output. Setting a higher production target, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced a fortnight long 'Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (developed agriculture resolve campaign) to commence from May 29, which aims to cover about 2 crore farmers and help them improve their linkage with agriculture research.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
UP CM Yogi Adityanath: MSMEs Must Adapt to Market Demands.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday emphasized the need for MSMEs in the state to continuously upgrade themselves in line with evolving market demands. While reviewing the MSME department on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh hosts the largest MSME base in the country, and therefore, a solid strategy should be adopted to enhance the capabilities of youth engaged in this sector.
Source: money.rediff.com