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Indian basmati rice exporters, who dominate over 70% of the global market, are facing significant challenges as high input costs and currency disadvantages squeeze profit margins. Despite selling the same or larger quantities, rising inflation has increased expenses for fertilizers, diesel, and labor in key producing states like Haryana and Punjab. Additionally, high logistics costs, exacerbated by pandemic-related disruptions, have further eroded profitability. Competing with countries like Pakistan, which benefit from currency depreciation, Indian exporters struggle to maintain competitive pricing. The recent ban on non-basmati rice exports has created uncertainty in international markets, complicating negotiations and order fulfillment. Furthermore, shifting consumer preferences towards cheaper rice varieties and stringent quality regulations in markets like the EU have increased compliance costs, further impacting net margins. As a result, exporters are navigating a high-risk, low-margin environment, with profit margins shrinking despite strong export volumes. 
Published: Nov 08 2025, 10 ameznews.inMargarita Louis-Dreyfus, Honorary President of the Louis Dreyfus Foundation (LDF), recently visited Rajasthan's Tonk district to assess the impact of the "Sustainable Income Enhancement and Nutrition Security Program," which has benefited approximately 5,800 women farmers across 69 villages since its launch in 2020. The initiative, developed in partnership with the Centre for microFinance, has reportedly tripled farmers' incomes over five years and significantly improved agricultural productivity and nutrition security. During her visit on November 3 and 4, Louis-Dreyfus engaged with local farmers and leaders, observing various sustainable agricultural practices, including vegetable cultivation and micro-irrigation systems. Key outcomes include an 80% increase in mustard yields and a 140% rise in gram production, alongside enhanced household nutrition. LDF's commitment to empowering smallholder farmers aligns with its global mission to foster self-sufficiency and food security in rural communities.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAir India flight AI129, originally set to depart from Mumbai to London at 6:30 am on Saturday, has been delayed until 1:00 pm due to technical difficulties. Passengers were initially informed of a half-hour delay, with boarding starting at 6:00 am instead of 5:20 am. However, after boarding, passengers remained seated for up to 90 minutes before being asked to deplane due to ongoing technical issues. Many travelers, who had not slept the previous night, are now facing significant challenges due to the delay. This disruption follows a series of delays at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, where over 100 flights were affected on Friday due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control system. Airlines, including Air India, have advised passengers to check for updates and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by these unforeseen circumstances.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 1 pmeznews.inFarmers in North Karnataka, a key sugarcane-producing region, have been protesting in districts such as Belgavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, and Haveri, demanding higher prices for their crop. The state government has announced a price of ₹3,300 per tonne for the 2025-26 season, which includes an additional ₹100 above the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of ₹3,200. This decision follows negotiations between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah, sugar factory owners, and farmers, who initially sought ₹3,500 per tonne. The new price, effective after discussions on Friday, includes ₹3,250 from factories and ₹50 from the state, excluding harvesting and transportation costs. Karnataka ranks as the third-largest sugarcane producer in India, with expectations of increased production this year due to favorable monsoon conditions. The Centre has set the FRP at ₹355 per quintal, linked to sugar recovery rates, to encourage efficiency among farmers.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe All Omni Bus Owners Association has announced the suspension of services to Kerala starting November 7, following the imposition of substantial fines by the Kerala Transport Department, totaling ₹70 lakhs for alleged permit violations. This decision is expected to disrupt travel for hundreds, particularly Ayyappa devotees heading to the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Association president A Anbalagan criticized the sudden enforcement of fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per bus, which he claims has caused significant hardship for both passengers and operators, leading to the cancellation of 150 bus bookings. He has called on the Tamil Nadu government to intervene promptly to resolve the matter amicably, emphasizing the urgent need for a solution to alleviate the difficulties faced by affected travelers.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 12 pmeznews.inFlight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi are gradually returning to normal following significant disruptions caused by a technical issue with the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) reported that the glitch, which began early Friday morning, led to delays for over 800 flights and required air traffic controllers to manually prepare flight plans. The AAI confirmed that the problem was resolved by Friday evening, with additional staff deployed to assist in managing the situation. By Saturday morning, the airport operator, DIAL, indicated improvements in operations, although over 200 flights were still delayed. IndiGo, the country's largest airline, noted that while the situation was stabilizing, some adjustments to flight timings might continue. The AAI assured that the AMSS systems are now functional, and efforts are ongoing to clear any remaining backlogs.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAs India embraces a new wave of technology-driven agricultural transformation, drones are emerging as pivotal tools for enhancing precision, productivity, and sustainability in farming. Equipped with advanced multispectral, thermal, and hyperspectral sensors, these aerial systems enable farmers and researchers to monitor crops and manage resources effectively. Drones can swiftly map large fields, providing critical insights into crop health, soil moisture, and pest presence, which, when processed through cloud-based analytics, lead to optimized irrigation and fertilization strategies. Recent studies have demonstrated drones' capabilities in soil-organic-carbon and nitrogen mapping, achieving significant accuracy in yield forecasting. Despite challenges such as high sensor costs and the need for robust ground data, the technology is becoming increasingly accessible, promising to revolutionize Indian agriculture. By integrating AI and cloud computing, drones are set to transform farming into a data-driven enterprise, enhancing resilience against climate variability and resource constraints.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's drug regulator has mandated that all pharmaceutical factories comply with World Health Organization (WHO) manufacturing standards by January 1, 2024, following a series of child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups. This directive comes after over 140 fatalities in Africa and Central Asia raised global concerns about the safety of Indian-made medicines, jeopardizing the country's reputation as the "pharmacy of the world." While larger firms had previously met a June 2024 deadline, smaller manufacturers were granted an extension until December 2025. However, the recent deaths of 24 children in central India prompted authorities to reject further requests for leniency, emphasizing the urgency of compliance. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation warned that non-compliant manufacturers would face strict penalties, urging state regulators to prioritize inspections. Industry representatives expressed fears that the new regulations could lead to factory closures and increased medicine prices, questioning the balance between quality and affordability.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a significant boost to India's rail connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Banaras railway station on November 8, 2025. The new routes include Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru. These semi-high-speed trains are expected to drastically cut travel times between key stations, thereby enhancing regional mobility, promoting tourism, and bolstering economic activity across the nation. The Banaras-Khajuraho route, in particular, will link important cultural and religious sites such as Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot, according to official statements. This initiative reflects the government's ongoing commitment to modernizing India's railway infrastructure and improving passenger services.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 ameznews.inUS President Donald Trump announced plans to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling a potential easing of tensions in their trade relationship. Speaking at a press conference, Trump described Modi as a "great man" and expressed willingness to make the trip, although he did not provide a specific timeline. Modi had previously extended the invitation during his visit to the White House in February, representing the interests of 1.4 billion Indians. Relations have soured recently, particularly after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the US, partly to pressure India to reduce its Russian oil purchases. While some Indian officials suggest a trade deal may be imminent, others, including Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, have cautioned against rushing into an agreement. The durability of the leaders' renewed rapport remains uncertain, especially given past strains over Trump's claims regarding US mediation in India-Pakistan conflicts.
Published: Nov 08 2025, 9 am
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