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By 2026, Indian agriculture is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by economic, technological, and sustainability factors. With over 86% of farmers owning less than 2 hectares, the shift towards electric tractors is gaining momentum, particularly as diesel prices have surged by 65% over the past decade, impacting profitability. Electric tractors, which cost around ₹80,000–₹90,000 annually to operate compared to ₹1.2–1.5 lakh for diesel models, offer substantial savings and reduced maintenance costs. Optimised for India's fragmented land, these tractors are designed for daily use and can complete various tasks on a single charge. Government incentives, including capital subsidies and reduced GST, have further facilitated adoption. Additionally, electric tractors contribute to environmental sustainability by eliminating emissions and reducing noise pollution. As rural labour declines, these machines are becoming essential for family-run farms, aligning with India's renewable energy goals and ensuring a more sustainable agricultural future. 
Published: Jan 18 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's ambitious "Yellow Revolution" aims to boost oil palm cultivation as a strategic response to soaring edible oil imports, which account for two-thirds of domestic consumption and cost over $14 billion annually. Despite progress under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), with 40% of the targeted area expansion achieved, concerns arise over the effectiveness of this initiative. Many seedlings have been distributed without adequate consideration of local conditions, risking poor yields and unsustainable farming practices. Successful models, like Andhra Pradesh, highlight the importance of supportive infrastructure over mere subsidies. Experts warn against a target-driven approach that prioritizes area planted over actual productivity, advocating for a differentiated strategy based on regional suitability. To ensure long-term success, accountability must shift from farmers to implementing agencies, and oil palm should complement traditional oilseeds rather than replace them. A sustainable Yellow Revolution requires a focus on outcomes, not just numbers.
Published: Jan 18 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia faces a significant challenge with micronutrient deficiency, despite producing enough food for its population. Essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin A are lacking, particularly among vulnerable groups, due to the declining nutritional quality of diets rather than calorie scarcity. Current nutrition policies have focused on supplementation and food fortification, which do not address the root causes of poor nutrition. Biofortification, enhancing crops' natural nutrient content through improved seeds and agricultural practices, presents a sustainable solution. Recent trends show biofortified staples are becoming available on mainstream grocery platforms, indicating a shift towards integrating nutrition into everyday diets. However, for biofortification to succeed, transparent nutrient verification is crucial to build consumer trust. By prioritizing biofortified seeds, India can align agricultural practices with health outcomes, moving from reactive malnutrition strategies to proactive prevention, ultimately improving the nutritional quality of staple foods.
Published: Jan 18 2026, 10 ameznews.inAgriculture is central to the climate debate, serving as both a vital resource and a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. At a recent climate conference in Belém, Brazil, discussions focused on the Amazon and rising deforestation, particularly in light of the suspension of the Amazon Soy Moratorium. Brazil, the world's largest soybean producer, saw production reach nearly 152 million tonnes in 2023, yet faced yield losses due to droughts exacerbated by climate change. The expansion of soybean cultivation, which increased from 37.2 to 41.2 million hectares between 2020 and 2022, has led to significant deforestation and environmental degradation, particularly in the Amazon and cerrado regions. As global demand, especially from China, continues to drive this expansion, Brazil must choose between further land use and sustainable practices to avoid long-term productivity losses. This situation offers critical lessons for countries like India, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices to balance growth and environmental protection.
Published: Jan 18 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia's aviation regulator, the DGCA, has levied a hefty ₹22.20 crore fine on IndiGo following significant flight disruptions last month, which saw 2,507 cancellations and 1,852 delays affecting over 300,000 passengers. The penalty includes ₹1.80 crore for systemic regulatory non-compliance and ₹20.40 crore for failing to adhere to revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms over 68 days. Additionally, IndiGo must secure a ₹50 crore bank guarantee linked to the implementation of corrective measures, including leadership reforms and operational upgrades. The DGCA has also issued warnings to several senior officials, including CEO Pieter Elbers, for inadequate oversight and failure to assess operational impacts. The disruptions were attributed to over-optimisation of operations and insufficient regulatory preparedness. IndiGo's leadership has committed to enhancing internal processes to ensure resilience and support India's goal of becoming a global aviation leader by 2030.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 10 pmeznews.inKoppert Sustainable Solutions (India) Pvt. Ltd. is set to inaugurate its expanded Mycorrhiza Production Facility in IDA Bollaram, Hyderabad, later this month. This facility specializes in producing natural soil-benefiting fungi, which are essential for promoting healthier crops and sustainable agricultural practices. By enabling large-scale production of these beneficial fungi, the facility aims to enhance soil health and improve crop performance, as highlighted in a company statement. The venture is a collaboration between AgriLife India and the Netherlands-based Koppert BV. Venkatesh Devanur, Managing Director of AgriLife India, emphasized that the facility will help meet the increasing demand for sustainable biological inputs among Indian farmers while bolstering local manufacturing capabilities. The inauguration reflects a significant step towards advancing sustainable agriculture in the region.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 8 pmeznews.inWings India 2026, Asia's largest civil aviation event, will be inaugurated by Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu on January 28, 2026, at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. The four-day event, themed "Indian Aviation: Paving the Future," aims to highlight India's burgeoning aviation sector and its aspirations to become a global hub for manufacturing and sustainable solutions. It will feature an international exhibition, static aircraft displays, flying shows, and a high-level conference with 13 thematic sessions, including topics like Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Advanced Air Mobility. Delegates from over 20 countries, alongside Indian states, will engage in discussions on investment and infrastructure development. The event will also host an Aviation Job Fair and a Civil Aviation Innovation Challenge for students, promoting industry engagement. With its diverse offerings and strategic focus, Wings India 2026 is set to reinforce India's position in the global aviation landscape.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's gross foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have remained stable between USD 70 and 85 billion from FY20 to FY25, but net FDI has plummeted from USD 44 billion in FY20 to just USD 1 billion in FY25, according to CareEdge Ratings. This decline is attributed to increased profit repatriation and outward investments, despite a robust average return on inward FDI of 7.3%. In FY25, gross inflows rose by 13% to USD 81 billion, with the services sector receiving the largest share at 19%. However, sectors like drugs and pharmaceuticals saw a contraction. Globally, FDI flows have weakened amid economic uncertainties, with the ratio of global FDI to GDP dropping to 1.3% in 2024. India's share of global FDI inflows also decreased to 2.4%, influenced by rising repatriation rates, while countries like China have significantly increased their global FDI presence.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's utility-scale solar power capacity surged by approximately 55% year-on-year, reaching 28.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, driven by expedited project completions and the expiration of the ISTS waiver deadline. A report from JMK Research & Analytics revealed that the country's total renewable energy capacity hit around 258 GW, with solar energy contributing 53%, followed by wind at 21%. The year marked a record for renewable energy additions, with nearly 37.9 GW of solar and 6.3 GW of wind capacity installed. The open access segment emerged as a significant contributor, accounting for over 38% of solar installations. Additionally, domestic module and cell manufacturing expanded, surpassing 200 GW capacity. Rooftop solar installations grew by 72% to 7.9 GW, largely due to the PM Surya Ghar scheme. However, off-grid solar installations saw a decline, adding only 1.35 GW. Gujarat led state-wise installations, contributing 11.1 GW.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's electronic goods production has surged dramatically, increasing from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to an anticipated ₹11.3 lakh crore by 2024-25, driven largely by the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Notably, mobile phone manufacturing has seen a 146% rise, with production jumping from ₹2.13 lakh crore in FY21 to ₹5.45 lakh crore in FY25, bolstered by $4 billion in foreign direct investment. However, the total PLI budget of ₹1.97 lakh crore has seen only ₹23,946 crore disbursed as of September 2025, indicating a slow start. Encouragingly, disbursements have accelerated, reaching ₹10,112 crore in FY25, with further growth expected in FY26. The scheme prioritizes large-scale electronics manufacturing, which has received the largest allocation of ₹38,645 crore, alongside significant investments in clean energy and traditional sectors. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted a sixfold increase in electronics production and an eightfold rise in exports over the past 11 years.
Published: Jan 17 2026, 3 pm
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