eznews.inIndia's cotton production for the 2025-26 crop year is expected to surpass last year's figures, despite a slight reduction in sowing area due to farmers in Gujarat and Maharashtra opting for more profitable crops like groundnut and maize. Atul Ganatra, President of the Cotton Association of India, noted that while sowing is down by about 3% to 107 lakh hectares, improved yields are anticipated, potentially rising by 10% to yield 325-330 lakh bales. The timely monsoon rains have contributed to the healthy crop conditions across all major growing states. Notably, southern states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are projected to see significant increases in production, with Karnataka alone expecting a rise from 24 lakh to 30 lakh bales. In contrast, central India has experienced a decline in sowing, particularly in Maharashtra's Khandesh region. The US Department of Agriculture, however, has revised India's cotton output estimate down to 5.11 million tonnes for 2025-26. 
Published: Aug 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's first hydrogen train is set to debut soon, following successful load tests of the trainset manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, as announced by General Manager U Subba Rao during his Independence Day address. The pilot project, costing ₹118.24 crore, will retrofit a 1600 HP DEMU into a hydrogen fuel-cell-based system on the Jind–Sonipat section of Northern Railway, aiming for zero emissions. The Ministry of Railways has allocated ₹2,800 crore for the development of 35 hydrogen trains for heritage and hill routes, alongside ₹600 crore for hydrogen infrastructure. In addition to the hydrogen initiative, ICF plans to produce nine Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets and 21 Amrit Bharat trains this fiscal year, with a target of 4,302 coaches overall, including a new semi-high-speed Gati Shakthi Freight EMU for logistics.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia has experienced a 20% deficiency in rainfall during the first half of August, bringing the total seasonal rainfall since June 1 to normal levels. The Central meteorological subdivision reported a significant 59% deficit, while the East and Northeast regions saw surplus rains for the first time this season. Overall, the country received 107.2 mm of rain from August 1-15, 19.6% below the long-period average (LPA). Despite this, total rainfall from June 1 to August 15 reached 581.5 mm, slightly above the LPA of 579.1 mm. However, 185 out of 728 districts reported deficient rainfall, with Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand facing crop damages due to heavy rains and floods. The government aims for a foodgrain production target of 168.88 million tonnes for Kharif 2025, with Kharif sowing up by 4% compared to last year.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia and the ASEAN bloc are set to continue negotiations on the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in Jakarta this October, as efforts intensify to conclude a review process by year-end. Indian negotiators are advocating for increased market access to address a significant trade deficit, which surged to $45.2 billion in FY25 from $7 billion in 2010. Limited success was reported in recent discussions in New Delhi, with sources indicating that ASEAN countries, already benefiting from the pact, are less inclined to accommodate India's demands. Key issues include calls for higher tariff reduction commitments from members like Thailand and Vietnam, as well as the adoption of product-specific rules of origin to alleviate stringent trade barriers. The upcoming ASEAN Summit in October 2025 may provide a platform for announcing the review's conclusion, following a joint committee meeting aimed at enhancing AITIGA's effectiveness.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKaveri Seed Company has reported a net profit of ₹316.50 crore for the first quarter ending June 30, 2025, marking an 11.88% increase from ₹282.91 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations surged to ₹945.31 crore, up 17% from ₹808 crore, driven by expanded acreage and strong performance in non-cotton segments such as rice and maize. G.V. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, noted that while cotton sales faced challenges due to illegal seed proliferation, the rise in non-cotton hybrid volumes significantly boosted overall revenue. He highlighted that new product contributions to cotton volumes are expected to enhance future revenue growth. Despite restrictions on hybrid rice sowing in Punjab, the company achieved notable growth in hybrid rice revenues. However, cotton hybrid seed volumes fell by 15%, leading to a corresponding revenue decline.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAir India Express, backed by the Tata Group, is set to launch a significant cabin retrofit programme by the end of the year, aimed at standardising economy class seating across its Boeing 737-8 fleet. This initiative will see all aircraft fitted with a single type of economy seat, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and minimising delays. Currently, the airline operates over 40 aircraft with varying business class configurations, complicating its quick turnaround model. The retrofit is expected to improve scheduling flexibility, streamline crew operations, and simplify maintenance, while also reducing spare parts inventory. This strategy aligns with practices of low-cost carriers, promoting faster turnaround times and maximising aircraft utilisation. Although the retrofit will require substantial investment and careful execution to minimise operational disruption, industry sources believe the long-term benefits will outweigh the initial challenges. Air India Express currently operates over 500 daily flights across 41 domestic and 17 international airports.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia is poised for a significant coffee boom, with consumption projected to double in the next 5-10 years, driven by changing preferences among the younger generation, according to Raja Chakraborty, CMO of Continental Coffee Limited (CCL). The company has responded to this anticipated demand by doubling its production capacity across India and Vietnam, aiming for full capacity utilization by FY29. Currently, 70% of CCL's domestic business is derived from branded products, while 30% comes from private labeling and bulk coffee. CEO Praveen Jaipuriar noted that the company is open to strategic partnerships to optimize operations. Exports are also vital, with significant shipments to Asia and Europe, as West Asia and Asia emerge as key coffee markets. Domestically, sachets dominate the market, comprising 70% of sales, and CCL is focusing on expanding small pack offerings to enhance market penetration.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe next round of review talks for the India-Asean free trade agreement in goods is set for October 6-7, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia, as confirmed by an official statement. This follows the conclusion of the tenth round of negotiations held from August 10-14, where the Joint Committee aimed to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Asean is a crucial trade partner for India, representing approximately 11% of its global trade, with bilateral trade reaching $123 billion in 2024-25. Additionally, on August 14, the fourth meeting of the India-Singapore Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment took place, focusing on logistics, regulatory frameworks, and cross-border trade facilitation. Singapore remains India's largest trading partner within Asean, with bilateral trade of $34.26 billion in 2024-25 and significant foreign direct investment inflows.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inQuick commerce (Q-comm) is revolutionizing the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, prompting traditional giants to adopt a more agile, direct-to-consumer (D2C) approach. Platforms like Zepto are at the forefront, offering pin-code-level demand data through their proprietary engine, ATOM, which facilitates hyperlocal launches and premium product offerings. Industry experts note that FMCG brands are now forming dedicated Q-comm teams, replenishing stock every 48 hours, and leveraging analytics for real-time pricing adjustments. This shift has yielded significant results, with Britannia deriving 75% of its digital sales from Q-comm, while ITC has seen its digital trade share double since FY20. The festive season has further accelerated this trend, as brands introduce limited-edition products tailored for occasions, exclusively available on Q-comm platforms. As Q-comm evolves from a convenience channel to a vital component of FMCG strategy, the distinction between traditional retail and digital-first approaches continues to blur.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inBengaluru-based agritech firm Fyllo is set to expand its product line, having already launched devices like Nero for soil moisture monitoring and Kairo for climate tracking. Co-founder Sudhanshu Rai emphasized the company's strategy to strengthen its domestic distribution network, which includes 40 distributors and 300 retailers, before venturing into international markets. Fyllo's devices, connected to a cloud server using AI, provide farmers with insights on pest threats and weather conditions. Recently, the company introduced the Nero Infinity, a cost-effective sensor developed in collaboration with IIT, reducing the price from ₹20,000 to ₹6,000 and extending its lifespan to over ten years. Fyllo's technology is currently utilized by over 40 companies in contract farming, primarily in grape cultivation, but is also expanding to other crops. While Fyllo's devices are already deployed in Europe and Mexico, the focus remains on solidifying its presence in India, particularly in key agricultural states.
Published: Aug 15 2025, 4 pm
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