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The Darjeeling tea industry in West Bengal has suffered a devastating blow following severe rainfall that triggered significant landslides, marking one of the worst natural disasters in the region in a decade. The torrential downpour on October 4 and 5 resulted in the loss of approximately 75-80% of tea gardens, with the premium autumn crop—accounting for 15-20% of annual production—entirely destroyed. The death toll from the floods has reached 28, with three tea workers confirmed dead. Industry leaders warn that the impact on production will be long-lasting, as many old tea bushes were washed away, and new plants take years to yield effectively. With the Kolkata auction centre facing limited supplies for upcoming sales, auction prices for the renowned Darjeeling tea are expected to surge. Production fell to 5.60 million kgs in 2024, the lowest in recent history, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions. 
Published: Oct 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's festive season from September 22 to October 2, 2025, witnessed a 5% year-on-year increase in smartphone sales, according to TechInsights. Retailers reported a remarkable surge of up to 50% in overall festive sales, driven by demand for Navratri, improved delivery times, and competitive pricing between online and offline platforms. Gaurav Pahwa, Director of Lotus Electronics, noted a 30% sales increase in the first 10-12 days, as consumers increasingly prefer the in-store experience for immediate purchases and after-sales service. Nilesh Gupta of Vijay Sales attributed much of the growth to pent-up demand and positive consumer sentiment. Meanwhile, Satish Meena from Datum Intelligence observed a shift in consumer behavior, with initial online searches leading to increased foot traffic in stores, aided by attractive EMI options. The evolving landscape highlights the blend of digital and physical retailing during this festive period.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, was signed in March 2024 and is now set to enhance the prospects of Medium Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tamil Nadu. At the Tamil Nadu-Europe MSME Conclave 2025, EFTA ambassadors highlighted that the agreement will reduce tariffs on 85% of Swiss exports and aims to attract $100 billion in investments to India over the next 15 years, potentially creating one million jobs. Swiss Ambassador Maya Tissafi noted the presence of 17 Swiss companies in Tamil Nadu, including R&D centers, while Iceland's Ambassador Benedikt Hoeskuldsson emphasized that 95% of Icelandic exports to India will benefit from reduced tariffs. The event, attended by Tamil Nadu's MSME Minister TM Anbarasan, focused on leveraging the agreement to strengthen trade ties and industrial collaboration.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has dismissed allegations of manipulation in the investigation of Air India Flight AI-171, which crashed on June 12, 2025. Responding to claims from Captain Rohit Sabharwal's father, who accused the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of spreading "innuendos" against his son, Naidu emphasized the integrity and transparency of the AAIB's investigation process. He stated that the agency operates independently and is committed to uncovering the facts surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, the minister addressed a separate incident involving the deployment of a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during Air India Flight AI-117 on October 4, 2025, noting that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the cause. Despite the RAT's unusual activation, Air India reported that all onboard systems remained normal, and the airline is collaborating with regulatory bodies and Boeing to determine the root cause of both incidents.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA dispute has emerged within the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) regarding the classification and oversight of baby corn and sweet corn research. The controversy was ignited by Haryana farmer Kanwal Singh Chauhan's request to Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to include these crops under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which offers financial support to farmers. The horticulture division of ICAR argues that both crops should be classified as horticulture due to their culinary use, while the crops division insists they belong to the maize category. The rift intensified following a letter from Suresh Kumar Malhotra, Vice-Chancellor of Haryana’s Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, seeking approval for his institution to conduct specialty corn trials. Experts warn that this bureaucratic conflict could hinder practical benefits for farmers, emphasizing the need for a focus on research that directly supports agricultural productivity.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFranziska Ohnsorge, the World Bank Chief Economist for South Asia, has highlighted the potential for India to leverage US tariff actions as a catalyst for expanding trade agreements with various nations, which could significantly enhance market access. In an interview with _businessline_, she noted that India's economic growth is projected at 6.5% for the fiscal year, despite anticipated slowdowns due to higher tariffs. Ohnsorge emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the job market, revealing that AI skills command a 30% wage premium in South Asia. She pointed out that while AI poses some risks, it ultimately offers more opportunities, particularly as only 7% of the South Asian workforce is at risk of being replaced by AI. To maximize these opportunities, she advised the Indian government to facilitate labor market reforms and improve connectivity, which would aid in reallocating resources effectively across sectors.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government's recent decision to reduce the goods and services tax (GST) on nuts and dried fruits to 5% is expected to boost domestic consumption, particularly in the value-added sector, according to Gunjan Jain, President of the Nuts and Dried Fruits Council (India). Previously, almonds and pistachios faced a 12% GST, while cashews, raisins, and walnuts were already taxed at 5%. Jain emphasized the industry's lobbying efforts to highlight the health benefits and employment opportunities associated with nuts and dried fruits, which are now more affordable. The price reduction is anticipated to expand the consumer base by at least 10%, especially during the upcoming festival season. Jain also noted India's potential as a nutrition hub, with plans to import high-yielding saplings and engage with the Agriculture Ministry for policy support. Improved weather conditions in Kashmir are expected to enhance walnut production, while cashew prices remain stable amid increased supply.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 7 pmeznews.inEnlite Helicopters, a start-up based in Tiruvallur, has unveiled its unmanned cargo helicopter, the R3, at AeroDefCon 2025, designed to transport packages weighing up to 70 kg between cities. CEO M Mohanakannan, a former Airbus engineer, announced that the R3 is set for long-range trial flights in the first half of 2026, with potential applications for delivering supplies to Defence personnel in challenging terrains. The company has successfully tested its experimental R2 model and is in the advanced stages of R3 testing, aiming for operational status by 2026. Enlite has raised ₹2 crore through bootstrapping and plans to secure an additional ₹1 crore in bridge funding, with a larger round anticipated in 2026 for commercial production. Unlike battery-powered drones, the R3's conventional helicopter design allows for longer flight times and higher speeds, making it suitable for rapid cargo delivery across significant distances.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAs the new tobacco-crop season approaches, farmers in Andhra Pradesh face a crisis with Black Burley tobacco, having produced an overwhelming 80-90 million kilograms, far exceeding the typical 20-25 million kilograms. This surplus has led to a drastic drop in prices, from ₹230 per kg in the previous season to just ₹110-120, prompting the state government to purchase 25-30 million kilograms to alleviate the situation. Farmers are now compelled to reduce their cultivation area to avoid repeating last season's losses, with many citing a lack of viable alternatives as a significant challenge. Calls for reforms in tobacco cultivation and marketing are growing, as the Tobacco Board does not support this variety, leaving farmers reliant on traders. Experts suggest that modernising infrastructure and embracing sustainability, as seen in Brazil, could help improve the sector's prospects, which may require an investment of ₹1,500–2,000 crore over the next five years.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 7 pmeznews.inWorld trade is projected to grow significantly, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasting a 2.4% increase in goods trade for 2025, up from a previous estimate of 0.9%. This surge is attributed to heightened imports in the US ahead of anticipated tariff hikes and increased spending on AI-related products, which accounted for over half of the trade expansion in early 2025. However, the outlook for 2026 has been revised down to 0.5% from 1.8% due to the expected impact of US tariffs. Notably, South-South trade has also seen robust growth, with an 8% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2025, outpacing the overall world trade growth of 6%. Despite these positive trends, rising input prices and trade policy uncertainties may lead to inflationary pressures later in 2025, particularly in sectors heavily affected by tariffs.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 7 pm
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