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Farmers in India are increasingly shifting their focus from oilseed crops to maize and rice, despite favorable rainfall and a government increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for oilseeds. As of September 12, the area sown with oilseeds fell to 188.81 lakh hectares, down from 193.93 lakh hectares last year, with soybean cultivation declining significantly by 5.81 lakh hectares. In contrast, maize and rice saw increases of 10.54 lakh and 8.45 lakh hectares, respectively. Experts attribute this trend to better economic returns from maize, particularly due to the rising use of ethanol in animal feed, which has made alternatives like distillers dried grains more appealing. While the overall oilseed production is expected to drop, the government’s National Mission on Edible Oil faces challenges as domestic production declines, potentially increasing reliance on imports. The outlook for the upcoming rabi season remains optimistic, with full water reserves in northern India. 
Published: Sep 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndian budget airline SpiceJet has reported its second consecutive quarterly loss as of June, primarily due to weak leisure travel demand exacerbated by heightened tensions during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. In a bid to strengthen its operations ahead of the festive and winter seasons, the airline announced plans to lease eight additional Boeing 737 aircraft, bringing its total fleet expansion to 18 jets, following earlier agreements for ten planes set for delivery in October. Despite ongoing efforts to resolve disputes with lessors and creditors, including a recent $24 million repayment to Credit Suisse and an $89.5 million settlement with Carlyle's aviation unit, SpiceJet continues to face challenges in capacity expansion and delays in returning grounded aircraft to service. The airline's struggles highlight the ongoing volatility in the aviation sector amid fluctuating demand.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia has unveiled its inaugural national policy on geothermal energy, aiming to harness the country's significant subterranean heat resources as part of its clean energy transition. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) highlighted the policy's focus on repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells and deploying ground source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling. Additionally, it encourages partnerships between geothermal developers and oil, gas, and mineral companies, alongside offering fiscal incentives such as tax holidays and import duty exemptions. India has identified 381 hot springs and 10 geothermal provinces, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat, to tap into this potential. With global geothermal capacity reaching 15.4 GW, India seeks to enhance its contribution through foreign direct investment and international collaborations, supporting projects for up to 30 years, with possible extensions based on resource availability.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia is set to invest ₹4,000 crore ($454 million) in incentives to enhance its shipbreaking industry, aiming to regain market share from Bangladesh and Pakistan, which currently dominate the sector. The proposal, expected to be approved by the federal cabinet by the end of September, will distribute benefits over ten years starting in 2026. Key incentives include a credit note worth approximately 40% of a ship's scrap value for owners who bring obsolete vessels to India, which can be used to purchase domestically built ships. Despite facing competition, India accounted for a third of global ship dismantling in 2023. The Alang Ship Breaking Yard, the world's largest, handles 98% of India's shipbreaking business. Additionally, the government is considering establishing a shipbreaking facility on the east coast and plans to approve a ₹2,500 crore maritime development fund to promote domestic shipbuilding.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 10 ameznews.inGlobal rice prices are expected to decline despite crop losses in parts of India and Pakistan, primarily due to abundant supplies, particularly from India, where prices are currently at an eight-year low. Analysts from BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, caution that excessive rainfall from a strong monsoon could negatively impact India's rice harvest. The USDA forecasts increased global rice production, driven by Brazil and Colombia, but lower exports from India and Pakistan. The FAO reported that rice export prices fell to their lowest levels in years, with a 2% drop in August. Indian white rice prices remained stable, supported by demand from Africa, while basmati prices rose amid lower inventories. BMI predicts a continued market surplus through 2028-29, although adverse weather could pose risks. The agency has revised its price forecast downward, reflecting expectations of abundant supplies and muted prices into 2026.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inWholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation in India is projected to remain subdued at 0.5% for the remainder of the financial year 2026, according to a report by Union Bank of India. The report indicates that base effects in the core index will play a significant role in maintaining WPI in positive territory, particularly as core WPI was recorded at -0.08% in September 2024. Despite a shift from negative levels, WPI is expected to remain soft, contingent on stable commodity prices and favourable monsoon conditions. This subdued inflation is anticipated to support real manufacturing Gross Value Added (GVA) and overall GDP growth by keeping the GDP deflator low. The report also suggests potential monetary policy easing later in the year, with a possible 25-50 basis points rate cut in the second half of FY26. Additionally, while Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms could raise inflation by 130 basis points, the actual impact is expected to be around 60 basis points.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inConsumer companies are poised for improved performance in the latter half of FY26, driven by festive season demand and the positive impacts of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, according to a report by Systematix Research. While the first quarter of FY26 saw muted results, with consumer staples reporting a 6.5% year-on-year revenue growth and a 3.5% increase in volume, signs of recovery are emerging. Easing inflation and normalising supply chains are expected to bolster demand, particularly in urban areas, although rural markets remain fragile, reliant on government support amid declining savings and rising food costs. Adverse seasonality has affected categories like juices and dairy, but potential GST rate cuts could benefit food and beverages. Despite urban consumer confidence being low, a revival in non-essential spending may aid overall sector recovery as the festive season approaches.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported promising signs of recovery for the Earth's ozone layer, with the 2024 ozone hole being smaller than in previous years. Released on World Ozone Day, the WMO Ozone Bulletin highlights that while natural atmospheric fluctuations contributed to this year's reduced ozone depletion, coordinated global efforts, particularly the Montreal Protocol, have played a crucial role. Since its inception, the Protocol has led to the phase-out of over 99% of ozone-depleting substances, paving the way for the ozone layer to potentially recover to 1980 levels by mid-century. The 2024 Antarctic ozone hole showed a maximum ozone mass deficit of 46.1 million tonnes, below the 1990-2020 average, indicating a delayed onset and faster recovery. However, experts stress the need for ongoing monitoring and adherence to international agreements, including the Kigali Amendment, to ensure continued progress against climate change.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe Indian government has extended the deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2025-26 by one day to September 16, 2025, following significant technical issues that disrupted submissions on the original deadline. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) reported that over 7.3 crore ITRs were filed by September 15, surpassing last year's total. The e-filing portal experienced heavy traffic, coinciding with the deadline for the second quarterly advance tax payment. Despite the department's guidance on resolving access issues, many users continued to face difficulties, prompting complaints on social media. The extension comes after a previous delay in the filing deadline from July 31 to September 15 due to revisions in ITR forms. The CBDT has announced that the portal will undergo maintenance on September 16 to facilitate these changes.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 4 ameznews.inAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced an incentive of ₹800 per bag of urea for farmers who reduce their consumption during the fourth district Collectors’ Conference in Amaravati on Monday. This decision follows a significant urea shortage in the kharif season, with a 50-kg bag priced at approximately ₹260. Naidu emphasized the need for better planning to ensure timely urea supply, asserting that there is currently no shortage. He also highlighted health concerns, referencing a recent rejection of a chilli consignment by China due to chemical residues and noting that Andhra Pradesh ranks fifth in cancer cases, urging education for farmers on the dangers of excessive urea use. Additionally, he pledged support for aquaculture farmers facing challenges from US tariffs, promising power at ₹1.50 per unit and calling for the registration of all aquaculture farmers.
Published: Sep 15 2025, 10 pm
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