eznews.in
Nearly 70% of India's rural population relies on agriculture, which is crucial for food security and livelihoods, yet the sector faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings, low productivity, and volatile prices. Despite agriculture contributing 18% to GDP, it employs 46% of the workforce, highlighting structural issues that hinder rural prosperity. To sustain an 8% economic growth rate, agriculture must grow at 4% annually. The rise of agritech startups, now exceeding 7,000, is transforming farming into a tech-driven enterprise, with innovations like soil mapping and digital marketplaces enhancing productivity and reducing environmental impact. In Telangana, AI tools have led to significant increases in crop yields and reductions in pesticide use. The Indian government is fostering public-private partnerships to build a Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture, aiming to make technology accessible and inclusive. However, challenges remain, including declining funding for agritech and the need for deeper collaboration and research. 
Published: Dec 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a remarkable achievement, India reached a significant climate milestone in 2025, with 50% of its installed power generation capacity derived from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its 2030 Paris Agreement target. The country, often seen as a fossil fuel champion, now boasts a total installed capacity of approximately 510 gigawatts, with 262 gigawatts from non-fossil sources, including 254 gigawatts from renewables. The government added around 50 gigawatts of renewable capacity in 2025, fueled by investments nearing ₹2 lakh crore. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted record growth, particularly in solar energy, and expressed optimism for continued momentum in 2026. However, challenges such as land acquisition and grid integration persist, necessitating further investment and structural reforms. Industry leaders emphasized the need for enhanced transmission networks and domestic manufacturing to sustain growth and improve energy security in India's evolving clean energy landscape.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndiGo has issued a travel advisory warning passengers of potential flight disruptions due to early-morning fog expected across Delhi and northern India on Sunday. The airline cautioned that reduced visibility could lead to delays or schedule changes, and its operations teams will monitor weather conditions closely throughout the night to minimize inconvenience. IndiGo emphasized that safety is its top priority and encouraged travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. Passengers affected by cancellations can rebook or request refunds via the airline's website. The advisory comes after 66 flights were cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday due to low visibility, while Delhi Airport confirmed that all flight operations were functioning normally despite ongoing low-visibility procedures. Additionally, four flights were cancelled at Srinagar Airport due to adverse weather conditions.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn India, women are pivotal to agricultural productivity, yet they remain largely excluded from the financial system, with only 14% owning agricultural land and securing just 27% of credit against their deposits. Despite making up 64% of the agricultural workforce, cultural barriers and limited access to formal banking keep many women farmers reliant on informal lenders, often at high interest rates. However, a shift is underway as financial institutions and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) develop tailored lending models that prioritize women, offering collateral-free loans based on income and repayment potential. This new approach not only facilitates access to essential agricultural resources but also helps women build a formal credit history, enhancing their financial independence. By streamlining processes and ensuring transparency, these initiatives aim to empower women, ultimately fostering economic growth in rural communities and addressing the significant yield gap between male and female farmers.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inCoffee tourism is gaining traction in India, emerging as a significant niche within the country's agritourism sector. The Indian government is keen to promote coffee trails, as highlighted by Srivatsa Krishna, the new Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, during the centenary celebrations of the Central Coffee Research Institute. Krishna emphasized the potential for foreign tourists to engage with Indian coffee culture, from bean picking to tasting, while staying in local homestays. This initiative aims to generate foreign exchange and provide income for homestay owners in coffee-growing regions. The Western Ghats and areas like the Araku Valley and North East India are poised to attract visitors, bolstered by the rise of café culture and specialty coffee awareness. As a result, many coffee estate owners are diversifying their income by establishing homestays, showcasing India's unique shade-grown coffee heritage to both domestic and international tourists.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inNearly 20,000 litigations involving approximately ₹1,700 crore are pending under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), prompting the Labour and Employment Ministry to introduce an amnesty scheme from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Labour and Employment Secretary Vandana Gurnani recently reviewed the scheme's progress, aiming to enhance compliance with social security regulations and reduce court cases. So far, ESIC has filed applications to withdraw proceedings in 258 cases, while employers in 1,552 cases have requested withdrawal under the scheme. The amnesty covers disputes filed until March 31, 2025, including non-compliance with the ESIC Act and challenges to assessments. Violations can lead to severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Employers can settle disputes by paying the actual contribution and interest, allowing ESIC to withdraw court cases without penalties. Field offices have been authorized to facilitate these withdrawals.
Published: Dec 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAir India Express has suspended a pilot following an incident of assault involving a passenger at Delhi's Terminal 1 on Friday. The Civil Aviation Ministry has initiated an inquiry, directing the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to provide detailed reports. The altercation arose when passenger Ankit Dewan, traveling with his family, was accused by the pilot of cutting in line at a security check. Dewan reported the incident on social media, claiming he received delayed medical assistance and was coerced into signing a letter not to pursue the matter further. Air India Express condemned the pilot's actions, stating he has been removed from duties pending investigation, with disciplinary measures to follow. Delhi International Airport Ltd expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing its commitment to passenger safety and the seriousness with which such matters are treated.
Published: Dec 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAhmedabad Metro is set to enhance its fleet with the induction of indigenously manufactured metro trains from Titagarh Rail Systems, following a visit by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to the Kolkata facility. The first "Make in India" metro train is expected to be delivered shortly after final tests and certification, marking a significant step towards domestic manufacturing in urban transport. This train will join 32 units supplied by South Korean firm Hyundai Rotem for the metro's Phase-1. Titagarh Rail Systems has secured a ₹350 crore contract for 10 metro train sets, with the remaining nine to be delivered over the next 5-6 months. Additionally, the company has been awarded a ₹866 crore contract for 24 trains for the upcoming Surat Metro. Currently, Ahmedabad Metro serves over 160,000 passengers daily, with plans for further expansion, including operations in Surat.
Published: Dec 20 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Tamil Nadu government has initiated preliminary efforts to transform Chettinad Airport into a significant aviation hub, issuing a tender for private investment in infrastructure development. Located in Karaikudi Taluk, Sivaganga district, the airport, also known as Karaikudi Kanadukathan Airport, is being considered for use by Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) and for drone testing. Following the approval of the state’s first FTO at Salem Airport in 2023, Chettinad Airport is set to become the third facility designated for such training, alongside the Kovilpatti airstrip. Although the surrounding land is currently barren, the airport's two runways remain operational. Historically, the airstrip served as a British airbase during World War II and was home to one of India’s first flying clubs in the 1930s, as well as a hub for Jupiter Airlines in 1953, founded by Alagappa Chettiar.
Published: Dec 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reassured the public that eggs sold in the country are safe for consumption, dismissing recent claims linking egg consumption to cancer as "misleading" and lacking scientific support. In response to social media allegations regarding egg safety, FSSAI officials clarified that the Extraneous Maximum Residue Limit (EMRL) for nitrofuran metabolites is set at 1.0 µg/kg solely for regulatory enforcement and does not indicate permissible use. They emphasized that the use of nitrofurans is strictly prohibited in poultry and egg production. Furthermore, FSSAI highlighted that there is no established link between trace dietary exposure to nitrofuran metabolites and cancer, with no health authority associating normal egg consumption with increased cancer risk. The Authority urged consumers to rely on verified scientific evidence and official advisories to avoid unnecessary public alarm.
Published: Dec 20 2025, 6 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact