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Farmers in a border village between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are experiencing a boost in maize cultivation, thanks to the early arrival of the monsoon, which is 10-15 days ahead of schedule. A report by AnandRathi indicates that maize acreage has increased by 11% as farmers shift crop patterns, particularly replacing cotton with maize in western and southern India. Despite lower carried-over stocks, stable domestic and global prices suggest that significant price hikes are unlikely, reflecting a strong season for technical manufacturers. The agrochemicals sector is projected to grow by 8% year-on-year, with maize hybrid seeds expected to see a 20% increase. Analysts believe the sector is on a path to recovery after facing challenges from adverse weather, global stock pressures, and geopolitical uncertainties. The report anticipates an 8% revenue growth for the sector, driven by improved product mix and operational efficiencies. 
Published: Jul 08 2025, 1 pmeznews.inSpace technology firm Kepler has secured a significant contract under India's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, aimed at enhancing the country's defence capabilities. Signed on July 4, 2025, the contract includes $4 million in government grants and launch services, enabling Kepler to develop a six-satellite intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) swarm constellation for the Defence Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence, with a launch planned for 2027. CEO Navneet Singh emphasized that this contract marks a transformative step in space-based intelligence, as the satellites will operate as a self-coordinating swarm, capable of autonomous decision-making and real-time communication to track threats and gather data without ground control. The iDEX initiative, launched by the Ministry of Defence, aims to support innovation and collaboration among startups and tech companies to address India's defence needs. Kepler specializes in AI/ML-enabled satellite systems for national security and commercial applications.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA detailed project report (DPR) for the doubling of the railway line between Hassan and Mangaluru is expected to be completed by April 2026, as announced during a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting in Mangaluru. The Mysuru Division of South Western Railway is currently conducting a final location survey (FLS) for the project, with the tender for this work awarded on April 18, 2025. The scope includes environmental and social impact assessments alongside the DPR. The proposed 247-km double line will feature 120 km of plain sections and 127 km of ghat sections, with a new ruling gradient of 1 in 100, allowing for a maximum speed of 100 km/h, up from the current 30 km/h. Capt Brijesh Chowta urged railway officials to hold tri-monthly meetings to monitor progress on railway projects in the Dakshina Kannada district.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has called for a national strategy on critical materials to address a looming shortage of rare earth magnets, essential for electric vehicle (EV) production. ACMA President Shradha Suri Marwah highlighted the urgency of self-reliance, particularly as China has imposed export restrictions since April, controlling over 90% of global processing capacity for these magnets. With no imports since the restrictions, the industry is exploring alternative solutions and increasing localization efforts. Despite current challenges, including supply chain disruptions and tighter working capital, Marwah expressed optimism for FY26, citing a robust turnover of $80.2 billion for FY2025, driven by strong domestic demand and rising exports. ACMA Director General Vinnie Mehta emphasized the need for the industry to focus on self-sufficiency to avoid future crises, as geopolitical factors continue to impact supply chains.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 4 pmeznews.inCapital Expenditure (capex) in India's infrastructure Engineering and Construction (E&C) sector is poised for a rebound, driven by a growing order pipeline, despite a recent slowdown attributed to a high base and muted tendering activities in FY24 and FY25. A report by SMIFS Ltd highlights that this deceleration is influenced by cost overruns, increased welfare spending, and disruptions from state elections. Over the past decade, significant government initiatives have transformed India's infrastructure landscape, with Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) nearly quadrupling to Rs 15.5 trillion by FY26, reflecting a 15% CAGR. Key sectors such as roads, railways, and renewables have seen substantial funding increases. The GBS now constitutes 4.2% of GDP, up from 2.5% in FY16, while capex's share of the overall budget has risen to 30.6%. The government anticipates a 10% year-on-year increase in capex for FY26, reaching Rs 11.2 trillion.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAn IndiGo flight, 6E 7295, faced a mid-air technical issue shortly after departing from Indore (IDR) to Raipur (RPR) on Tuesday morning. The aircraft took off at 06:28 am, ahead of its scheduled departure of 06:35 am, but was forced to return to Indore due to the snag. The pilot promptly requested a priority landing, which was granted by Air Traffic Control, allowing for a safe return without incident. Upon landing, all passengers disembarked safely, and the flight was subsequently cancelled. IndiGo offered affected passengers a full refund or alternative flight options. The incident highlights the airline's commitment to passenger safety, ensuring that all protocols were followed during the emergency.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's electricity demand saw a notable decline of nearly 1.5% in the quarter ending June, reaching 445.8 billion kilowatt hours, marking the first contraction since 2020, as reported by the Central Electricity Authority. This decrease is attributed to a cooler summer, which reduced reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning. The shift in climate patterns is raising concerns among government and industry leaders regarding future consumption and investment strategies. Coal-fired power plants, which typically generate about 75% of the country's electricity, experienced a 7% drop in output, operating at just 69.6% capacity compared to 76.6% the previous year. In contrast, renewable energy sources, including hydropower and nuclear, saw an increase in generation, with renewables rising nearly 23% during April and May. If peak demand remains below last year's 250 gigawatts, it would represent the first decline in two decades.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 4 pmeznews.inKerala has filed a lawsuit against the Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), seeking $1.1 billion in compensation following the sinking of the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 off its coast in May. The Kerala High Court has ordered the arrest and detention of another MSC vessel at Vizhinjam Port until the company secures the claim amount. The MSC ELSA 3 capsized while en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, leaking fuel and releasing hazardous cargo, which has led to significant pollution of the marine ecosystem, adversely affecting coastal fisheries and public health. In response to the environmental crisis, the state government advised local fishermen to refrain from fishing and provided relief to over 105,000 families reliant on the industry. MSC has not yet commented on the lawsuit, although it previously engaged a marine services firm for cleanup efforts.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 3 pmeznews.inITC Limited reported a significant 25% year-on-year increase in its agri-business segment revenue, reaching ₹19,753 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. The Kolkata-based conglomerate emphasized its commitment to growth by enhancing its portfolio of value-added agri-products, which now includes over 3.5 million tonnes of throughput across 22 states. The company aims to diversify its offerings in spices, coffee, frozen marine products, and processed food, while also expanding its organic cultivation initiatives to meet rising demand. ITC has solidified its role as a key supply chain partner for spices and has strengthened its international presence, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. Despite challenges in the shrimp sector due to fluctuating prices, the company capitalized on robust growth in Indian coffee exports, aided by strategic sourcing from major coffee-producing regions.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 3 pmeznews.inKRBL Ltd, renowned for its India Gate basmati rice, is venturing into the edible oils market with the launch of its "India Gate Uplife" range, which includes two new blended oil variants, Gut Pro and Lite, priced at ₹192-199 per litre. The company aims to capture a share of the ₹1.1 lakh tonne blended oils market, currently dominated by Saffola, targeting health-conscious consumers. KRBL's Business Head, Ayush Gupta, stated that the company expects to sell 2,000 tonnes and generate ₹50 crore in revenue this fiscal year, with ambitions to reach 8,000-10,000 tonnes and ₹200-300 crore in three years. The Gut Pro variant focuses on gut health, while Lite is aimed at weight management. With the Indian edible oil market totaling 243 lakh tonnes, KRBL plans to expand its product line to include more functional foods, addressing health issues beyond heart health.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia is set to source approximately 10% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports from the United States starting in 2026, as part of a strategy to enhance energy purchases and reduce its trade deficit with Washington. Currently, over 90% of India's LPG, a mix of propane and butane used for cooking, is imported from the Middle East, primarily through state retailers like Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Hindustan Petroleum Corp, which sell it at subsidised prices to households. The shift towards U.S. LPG follows increased imports due to China's tariffs on U.S. propane, prompting Indian buyers to seek alternatives. India's oil ministry aims to boost U.S. energy purchases significantly, with total LPG imports projected to rise to between 22 million and 23 million tonnes by 2026, driven by an annual demand growth of 5% to 6%. Pricing will be crucial in determining the volume of U.S. imports.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 3 pm
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