eznews.in
The three-day National Symposium on Spices and Aromatic Crops (SYMSAC XI) concluded at the Indian Institute of Spices Research in Kozhikode, where experts urged farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) to enhance production capabilities and prioritize quality to meet the growing market demand. Currently, India produces 77,000 tonnes of black pepper, falling short of the 130,000 tonnes needed for both domestic and global markets. The symposium highlighted the critical role of FPOs in scaling up production and bridging this gap, while also calling for improved data collection on crop yields to inform national projections. Discussions underscored the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in accessing market opportunities and the necessity for better industry linkages. Additionally, participants emphasized the importance of collaboration between the spice industry and research institutions to foster sustainable growth in India's spice sector. 
Published: Jan 10 2025, 1 pmeznews.inStarting in the fourth quarter of 2025, Mumbai's airport will no longer provide parking for charter and private aircraft, as part of a strategic initiative to shift all non-scheduled flights to the new Navi Mumbai airport. This move aims to alleviate congestion at Mumbai airport, which currently handles around 970-990 flights daily, including 40-60 charter flights. The Navi Mumbai airport is in the process of constructing a general aviation terminal and limited hangar space for non-scheduled operators, with plans to expand facilities based on demand. Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airport Holdings, emphasized that existing hangars at Mumbai will be demolished to make way for new aeronautical assets, while parking fees at Navi Mumbai will be regulated by the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority. The transition is expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce flight delays, with the general aviation terminal in Mumbai remaining operational during this period.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's industrial sector showed robust growth in November 2024, with factory output rising by 5.2%, the highest in six months, according to government data. This increase follows a 3.5% growth in October, driven by significant gains in mining (1.9%), manufacturing (5.8%), and electricity (4.4%). Notably, the capital goods segment surged by 9%, and consumer durables saw a remarkable 13.1% increase, reflecting strong festive demand. However, overall growth for April-November 2024 was 4.1%, down from 6.5% in the same period last year. Analysts caution that high base effects may temper future growth, with expectations of a moderation to 3-5% in December. Despite a six-month high in electricity demand, other indicators like petroleum consumption and crude steel production remained subdued, suggesting a mixed outlook for the industrial sector moving forward.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 6 pmeznews.inMangaluru International Airport (MIA) has reported significant growth in passenger traffic and air traffic movements for the calendar year 2024 and the first nine months of the financial year 2024-25. The airport handled 22,57,621 passengers in 2024, a 17.13% increase from 19,27,466 in 2023, with domestic travel rising by 19.33% to 15,80,747 and international passengers increasing by 12.31% to 6,76,874. Notably, December 2024 marked a record high of 2,06,410 passengers. For the first nine months of 2024-25, MIA served 17,28,686 passengers, up 16% from the previous year, with domestic and international travel growing by 16.8% and 14.3%, respectively. Air traffic movements also surged, with 16,416 ATMs in 2024, an 18.44% rise from 2023. MIA attributes this growth to ongoing infrastructure enhancements and a commitment to passenger service and safety.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAt the Agri and Commodity Summit 2025, experts highlighted the significant potential of the Indian government's Agri Stack project to enhance agricultural development through technology and digitisation. Dr. Paresh Verma from Shriram Bioseed Genetics emphasized the need for political will and stakeholder coordination to leverage technology for farmers, noting the limited increase in seed prices compared to the rising minimum support price (MSP) for cotton. Hemendra Mathur of ThinkAg pointed out that start-ups have driven digitisation in the food value chain, with the Agri Stack programme poised to reduce transaction costs for farmers. Partha Ghosh from Social Alpha discussed how digitisation could lower insurance and banking costs, but stressed the necessity of public investment to encourage technology adoption. The summit, presented by Nabard and supported by various agricultural partners, underscored the importance of innovation in addressing climate challenges and improving rural employment.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe National Statistical Office (NSO) has reported a robust growth in India's manufacturing sector, with output rising by 5.8% in November 2024, a significant increase from just 1.3% in the same month last year. Factory output also saw a rise of 5.2%, up from 3.5% in October. The growth rates for the mining, manufacturing, and electricity sectors in November were recorded at 1.9%, 5.8%, and 4.4%, respectively, compared to 0.9%, 4.4%, and 2.8% in October. Notably, 18 out of 23 industry groups within manufacturing reported positive growth, with the 'Manufacture of basic metals' leading at 7.6%, followed by 'Manufacture of electrical equipment' at a remarkable 37.2%, and 'Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products' at 12%. Key contributors to the growth in basic metals included galvanized steel products and various steel pipes and tubes.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), titled "Making India the Global Hub for Turmeric," is set to be released in New Delhi on January 15. The report, published by Academic Foundation, outlines strategic recommendations aimed at bolstering India's status as a leading producer and exporter of turmeric. It advocates for increased value addition within the country to benefit farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the overall supply chain. The findings align with India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, highlighting the potential of the turmeric sector to create jobs and integrate local producers into global value chains. The launch event will feature panel discussions focused on enhancing quality production and securing India's leadership in turmeric value-added products.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAt the Agri & Commodity Summit 2025 in New Delhi, experts emphasized the urgent need for India to adopt advanced agricultural technologies to combat the impacts of climate change on crop quality and storability. CEO of HyFarm, S Soundararajdane, highlighted that recent climate fluctuations have adversely affected product quality, while other speakers, including SeedWorks International's MD, stressed the importance of drought-resistant technologies. The discussion also pointed to the necessity of policy reforms to make alternative crop nutrients more affordable and to enhance collaboration across the agricultural value chain, involving government, food companies, and farmers. Notably, the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technique was praised for its efficiency, potentially allowing farmers to diversify crops beyond rice. However, challenges remain, including significant post-harvest losses and the need for improved processing capabilities, particularly in the potato sector, where only a fraction of production is processed effectively.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has unveiled a comprehensive four-pillar strategy to enhance the resilience of India's agricultural sector against climate change. Chairman KV Shaji, speaking at the Agri and Commodity Summit 2025, emphasized the importance of data-driven solutions and innovative financial mechanisms, including the Agri Fund and a forthcoming Carbon Fund. The first pillar focuses on promoting green lending, while the second aims to enhance market access and awareness of climate-related practices. The third pillar involves Nabard's internal commitment to achieving zero emissions, and the fourth is dedicated to mobilizing resources through blended finance and green bonds. Additionally, Nabard is developing a data warehouse to streamline access to credit and government schemes for farmers, particularly tenant farmers, in collaboration with various agencies. The initiative seeks to standardize data across states, facilitating better decision-making and financial services in the agricultural sector.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape has been significantly transformed by the introduction of the Green Channel mechanism, which allows for automatic approval of transactions that do not present horizontal overlaps or vertical relations. Launched in August 2019 and enhanced in 2024, this initiative by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) aims to streamline regulatory processes, reduce approval times to an average of just 16 working days, and bolster investor confidence, particularly in the private equity and venture capital sectors. Under Chairperson Ravneet Kaur's leadership, the CCI has focused on balancing facilitation with enforcement, engaging with stakeholders to refine processes, and investing in technology to manage increasing deal complexities. The Green Channel not only simplifies regulatory hurdles but also encourages domestic consolidation, driving innovation and job creation, thereby enhancing India's appeal as a business-friendly destination and supporting its ambition to become a $5 trillion economy.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAt the Agri and Commodity Summit 2025 in New Delhi, experts expressed alarm over the impact of rising temperatures and extreme weather on agriculture, highlighting the need for strategies to combat climate change. DS Pai from the IMD noted that while significant rainfall trends have not emerged over the past 125 years, extreme rainfall events are increasing, particularly in central India and along the coasts. Ajai Rana, CEO of Savannah Seeds, emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, particularly from chemical fertilizers, are exacerbating climate issues. Nabansu Chattopadhyay from the WMO warned of decreasing rainfall in regions like Chhattisgarh and eastern Uttar Pradesh, which could threaten agricultural productivity. Neha Kumar from the Climate Bonds Initiative called for a fundamental shift in how banks approach agricultural lending, integrating climate risks into their practices. The summit, co-powered by various agricultural organizations, underscored the urgent need for collaboration across science, policy, and finance to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 2 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact