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Cotton production in Central India, the country's largest cotton-growing region, is expected to decline by about 10% in the upcoming kharif season as farmers shift to more profitable crops like maize and groundnut. Atul Ganatra, President of the Cotton Association of India, noted that low yields and high production costs, averaging 435 kg of lint, have discouraged cotton cultivation, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Prices for cotton have remained subdued, often falling below the minimum support price, exacerbated by weak demand from spinning mills and bearish global trends. As a result, the Cotton Corporation of India has purchased over one crore bales at MSP, accounting for a third of total output. Experts predict a slight increase in maize cultivation, driven by government support and strong ethanol demand, while confidence in cotton production continues to wane among farmers. 
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Apr 16 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged the 16th Finance Commission to raise the state's share of Central taxes from 41% to 50%. Speaking on Wednesday, Naidu highlighted a concerning decline in horizontal devolution, which has dropped from 23.4% during the 10th Finance Commission to 15.8% under the 15th. He noted that Andhra Pradesh has been financially disadvantaged, particularly after losing significant revenue sources from Hyderabad due to bifurcation, where Telangana retains 75% of its financial resources. Emphasizing the need for state involvement in the Centre's 'Viksit Bharat' vision, Naidu outlined the Swarnandhra Vision 2047, aiming for a $2.4 trillion economy with a 15% annual growth in GSDP. He called for Centre grants to support key development projects, including the Polavaram Project, new ports and airports, and tourist hubs across the state.
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Apr 16 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inThe Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (COCPC), led by the Union Textile Commissioner, has urged the Indian government to eliminate the 11% import duty on cotton. This recommendation, made during a meeting in Mumbai, aims to support the struggling textile industry, which is facing a projected cotton production of less than 300 lakh bales this season. K. Venkatachalam, Chief Advisor of the Tamilnadu Spinning Mills Association, suggested that if a full removal is not feasible, the government could consider freezing the duty for several months. The move is expected to positively influence Indian textile exports to the US, particularly in light of the anticipated increase in imports, which are expected to more than double this season. The Indian cotton sector has faced challenges due to stagnating yields and pest issues, leading to increased reliance on imports.
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Apr 16 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inIndia's exports to the United States surged by 11.59% in FY25, reaching $86.51 billion, as reported by the Commerce Department. This growth was driven by key sectors including pharmaceuticals, electrical machinery, and textiles, contributing to an increased trade surplus with the US, which rose to $41.18 billion from $35.33 billion the previous year. In contrast, India's trade deficit with China widened significantly to $99.2 billion, up from $85.07 billion, raising concerns over China's dominance in India's supply chains. While imports from the US grew by 7.44% to $45.33 billion, imports from China also increased by 11.52% to $113.45 billion, primarily due to demand for electronics and industrial inputs. Notably, India's exports to China fell by 14.49% to $14.25 billion, highlighting a competitiveness crisis that necessitates improvements in domestic manufacturing capabilities.
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Apr 16 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inIn a significant development for India's internet landscape, a delegation from Elon Musk's Starlink met with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss the company's future plans in the country. The talks focused on Starlink's advanced technology platform and its existing partnerships, particularly with major telecom providers Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, which recently signed agreements to offer Starlink's broadband services. Despite facing regulatory hurdles since 2022, including strict security protocols, the meeting suggests a potential acceleration in obtaining the necessary licenses for commercial operations. Starlink aims to enhance connectivity in remote and underserved areas, although specific pricing and speed details remain unfinalized. Initially, Airtel and Jio had expressed concerns over Starlink's market entry, fearing it could disrupt the competitive landscape due to its proposed spectrum allocation method.
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Apr 16 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inKarnataka's tech start-up ecosystem experienced a significant funding decline in Q1 FY25, raising $633 million, marking a 23% drop from the previous quarter and a 46% decrease year-on-year, according to Tracxn's latest report. Notably, no unicorns were created during this period, contrasting with two in Q1 FY24. Seed stage funding fell to $57.3 million, while early-stage investments rose to $294 million, a 34% increase from Q4 FY24. Late-stage funding, however, plummeted by 48% to $282 million. Despite the overall downturn, sectors such as enterprise applications, fintech, and retail attracted significant interest, with fintech funding surging by 271% to $221.1 million. The report also highlighted 21 acquisitions in Q1 FY25, a 91% increase from the previous year, with Amazon's acquisition of Axio for $150 million being the most notable. Bengaluru continues to dominate as the primary tech hub in the state.
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Apr 16 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inSpiceJet is on a promising path to recovery, with plans to double its fleet within the next year, according to Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh. The airline, which has faced significant challenges including financial difficulties and legal disputes with lessors, has recently raised funds and is actively working to reinstate grounded aircraft. As of January 10, SpiceJet operated 28 out of its 62 aircraft, including 20 Boeing 737s. The airline aims to return 10 grounded planes, including four Boeing B737 Max, to service by mid-April. Singh expressed optimism about the revival plan, stating that the return-to-service program is on track. He also addressed concerns regarding the impact of China's ban on Boeing aircraft deliveries amid ongoing US-China trade tensions, indicating that SpiceJet will engage with manufacturers to navigate the situation effectively.
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Apr 16 2025, 6 pm ISTeznews.inThe Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has unveiled a new light-coloured turmeric variety, IISR Surya, tailored for the powdering industry. Developed after extensive research, this high-yielding variety promises a 20-30% increase in production compared to existing light-coloured cultivars, yielding up to 41 tonnes per hectare under optimal conditions. The demand for lighter turmeric, particularly in specialty markets like Japan and Europe, has surged, yet local varieties such as Mydukur and Salem Local are limited in supply and yield. IISR Surya, with its pleasant aroma, aims to meet this growing demand while providing farmers with a viable option for large-scale cultivation. Recommended for cultivation in states including Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha, the development of IISR Surya is the culmination of a decade-long research effort by the IISR team, enhancing prospects for both farmers and the masala industry.
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Apr 16 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inA narrow corridor along the Tamil Nadu coast, including Chennai, experienced rain and thundershowers on Wednesday, as a pre-monsoon trough shifted westward, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued scattered light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka over the next five days. Meanwhile, an intense western disturbance is affecting North-West India, leading to thunderstorms and potential hail in the Himalayas. Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam in the coming days. The weather patterns are influenced by atmospheric instability from cooler western winds colliding with warmer air, creating localized circulations that generate varied weather conditions across the region.
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Apr 16 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inThe Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has urged the government to lift the ban on de-oiled rice bran (DORB) exports, citing substantial economic, environmental, and agricultural benefits. In a letter to the Prime Minister, SEA President Sanjeev Asthana highlighted a surplus of 1.3 million tonnes of rice bran, which is currently wasted, costing the country ₹650 crore in lost revenue. The association argues that exporting DORB could generate significant foreign exchange, reduce edible oil imports, and enhance farmers' incomes. Additionally, DORB can be transformed into high-value products like animal feed and biofuels, aligning with global sustainability goals. The note also emphasizes that lifting the ban would position India competitively in international markets, as other countries like Thailand and Vietnam actively trade DORB. With record-high rice stocks, SEA believes now is the time to reconsider the export restrictions to prevent waste and promote rural development.
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Apr 16 2025, 5 pm IST
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