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India's agricultural sector faces significant challenges, particularly for its 100 million small and marginal farmers (SMFs), who experience low productivity and incomes, leading to unstable livelihoods. To address these issues, policymakers have shifted focus from subsistence to market-oriented agriculture, promoting the formation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) since the early 2000s. The recent 10,000 FPO policy has seen the number of registered FPOs rise to 33,000, although many struggle with revenue growth and member engagement. While FPOs are crucial for enhancing farmer incomes and transitioning to more profitable agricultural practices, they face hurdles such as inadequate business models, limited access to credit, and a lack of skilled management. Initiatives like PRADAN's Centre of Excellence aim to bolster FPOs by providing essential support, while fostering collaborations with state and corporate partners is vital for their sustainability and the upliftment of rural economies, particularly for women farmers. 
Published: Jul 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a significant policy shift, India's federal environment ministry has exempted 79% of coal-fired power plants from a decade-old mandate requiring the installation of $30 billion worth of clean-air equipment. The new gazette notification, issued late Friday, allows plants located outside a 10-kilometer radius of populated areas to bypass the 2015 regulations aimed at reducing sulphur emissions through flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems. While 11% of plants near urban centers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the remaining 10% in major cities must comply by December 2027. This decision follows substantial investments by state-run NTPC, which has already spent around $4 billion on FGD installations. The Central Pollution Control Board's analysis reportedly influenced the decision, although the notification did not address potential impacts on the competitiveness or cost recovery for these power plants.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released a preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, which occurred shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. The report details a catastrophic sequence of events within 90 seconds of take-off, where both engines shut down due to the inadvertent movement of fuel cutoff switches. One pilot was heard questioning the other about the shutdown, indicating potential technical issues. Families of the victims, including Yashpal Singh Vansdiya and Mukesh Maheswari, have expressed their anguish and called for accountability, demanding answers regarding the aircraft's pre-flight checks and preventive measures. The AAIB noted that despite attempts to restart the engines, the aircraft could not regain altitude and ultimately crashed into residential buildings, with the final distress call made just moments before the impact.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA World Gold Council (WGC) expert has warned that gold may face short-to-medium term pressure, citing historical trends that suggest potential downturns could be triggered by easing geopolitical risks, a stronger dollar, or reduced demand from central banks and retail investors. Ray Jia, WGC's Research Head for China, outlined three scenarios that could lead to a prolonged decline in gold prices: diminished central bank demand, increased competition from alternative assets, and a significant rise in gold supply. Despite recent fluctuations, including a 5.5% rise in Q2 2025, gold prices have softened compared to a 19% surge in Q1. As of July 12, 2025, spot gold was priced at $3,356.93 per ounce, reflecting a 27% increase since the start of the year. Jia emphasized that while gold's recent momentum has slowed, its role as a strategic asset remains vital amid rising global government debt and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a significant move towards self-reliance in critical technologies, the Indian government has announced plans to produce rare earth magnets in Hyderabad. Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, stated that the Mining Ministry's NFTSM institute is collaborating with various industries to manufacture the necessary machinery, with a showcase of their capabilities expected within the next three to four months. This initiative comes in response to India's previous reliance on China for rare earth permanent magnets, which was disrupted when China imposed export controls in April 2024, leading to a global supply shortage. The government's commitment to ramping up production is further supported by the establishment of the National Critical Mineral Mission, approved in January 2025, with a budget of ₹16,300 crore and anticipated investments of ₹18,000 crore from Public Sector Undertakings.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAn Air India flight, AI171, tragically crashed into a building in Ahmedabad just 32 seconds after take-off on June 12, 2025, following a critical failure in fuel supply to both engines. A preliminary investigation revealed that the pilots were confused and unable to restore thrust in time after both engines' fuel cutoff switches were inadvertently activated. The sequence of events began with the aircraft's arrival from New Delhi at 11:17 IST, followed by a series of approvals for pushback and take-off. The flight took off at 13:38:39, reaching a maximum speed of 180 knots before both engines lost power moments later. Despite efforts to restart the engines, one pilot issued a distress call just before data recording ceased. Emergency services were dispatched shortly after the incident, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating crash.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inFamilies of victims from the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 260 lives, including 53 British citizens, are preparing to take legal action against Boeing in U.S. courts. Keystone Law, representing the UK-based families, aims to investigate the role of defective fuel control switches highlighted in a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The report references a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in December 2018, which raised concerns about the switches' design and installation. Keystone Law is also assisting families in seeking compensation from Air India under the Montreal Convention, maintaining communication with the airline's legal team in London. Boeing has stated its commitment to supporting the ongoing investigation.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Environment Ministry has unveiled model rules to promote agroforestry, facilitating tree felling on agricultural lands. These rules aim to create a streamlined regulatory framework, simplifying the registration of agroforestry lands and the management of tree harvesting and transit. Agroforestry is touted for its benefits, including improved rural livelihoods, enhanced soil health, and increased biodiversity. State-level committees, established under existing guidelines, will advise governments on boosting timber production from farmlands by easing regulations for commercially valuable species. Following consultations with states and union territories, the Ministry has developed these rules, which require applicants to register plantations on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. This system will allow for online applications for tree harvesting, ensuring traceability through geotagged photos. The Ministry encourages states to adopt these rules to enhance the ease of doing business in agroforestry and incentivize farmers to integrate trees into their farming practices.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's agricultural sector, contributing around 18% to the nation's GDP, is undergoing a transformative shift due to the rapid expansion of its expressway network, which is enhancing agri-logistics. The construction of expressways, such as the Delhi-Mumbai and Bangalore-Chennai routes, is significantly reducing travel times for perishable goods, thereby addressing the staggering annual post-harvest losses estimated at ₹1.53 lakh crore ($18.5 billion). These modern highways not only lower transportation costs through improved fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle wear but also facilitate better market access for farmers, connecting rural areas to urban centres. Additionally, the development of Multi-Modal Logistics Parks along these routes is expected to further streamline logistics and bolster agricultural exports, which surged to $48.15 billion in FY 2023-24. Overall, the expressway network is reshaping India's agricultural supply chain, enhancing profitability and paving the way for a more resilient food system.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to face significant margin pressures in the first quarter of FY26, driven by rising raw material costs and operational inefficiencies, according to a report by HDFC Securities. Key inputs, particularly steel and platinum group metals, are anticipated to negatively impact gross margins, compounded by lower seasonal volumes that may further strain EBITDA margins. Two-wheeler OEMs are grappling with a challenging domestic product mix, reduced export contributions, and a declining electric vehicle (EV) share. Minor price adjustments are anticipated due to new regulations, including OBD 2 norms for two-wheelers and AC cabin standards for commercial vehicles. Auto ancillary firms are also under pressure from subdued global demand and tariff uncertainties, while tyre manufacturers may benefit from falling raw material prices. Additionally, delays in the return of migrant labourers and a looming shortage of rare-earth magnets pose further operational challenges for the sector.
Published: Jul 12 2025, 1 pm
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