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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the fourth Farmers’ Training and Common Facility Centre (FT-CFC) at Kasapura, Vijayanagara, Karnataka, as part of her multi-day tour of Kalyana Karnataka. The Rs 4.3 crore project, funded through the MPLAD scheme in collaboration with NABARD, aims to empower rural communities by enhancing agricultural processing capabilities. Expected to generate Rs 7.4 crore from peanut and tamarind products, the centre will process 400 tonnes of groundnut and 200 tonnes of tamarind annually, producing items like peanut butter and tamarind pulp. Sitharaman emphasized the importance of local ownership and collaboration among stakeholders to foster rural entrepreneurship and self-reliance. The centre will also serve as a training hub for Farmer Producer Organizations and Self-Help Groups, ensuring quality through NABL-accredited testing. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to sustainable rural development and enhancing farmers' incomes in the region. 
Published: Oct 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inHeavy rainfall has impacted various regions of Tamil Nadu, particularly the southern districts, as the Northeast Monsoon commenced on October 16. Following this, intense showers were reported on Saturday, leading to significant inflows in local reservoirs and causing sudden flooding in parts of Chennai. The weather office forecasts continued moderate to heavy rains across the Western Ghats and southern districts, with coastal areas, including Chennai, also expected to experience ongoing moderate showers. An upper air cyclonic circulation over the Southeast Arabian Sea and nearby Lakshadweep is anticipated to develop into a low-pressure area, contributing to the rainfall, which is expected to persist until October 22. Affected districts include Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin in the south, as well as Kancheepuram and Villupuram in the north, all of which have reported sharp showers.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced on Saturday that users can now gift a FASTag annual pass via the Rajmargyatra app. By selecting the 'Add Pass' option, users can input the vehicle number and recipient's contact details, with activation following OTP verification. The FASTag annual pass, which offers a cost-effective travel solution for national highway users, is valid at approximately 1,150 toll plazas across India. For a one-time fee of ₹3,000, it provides one year of unlimited crossings or up to 200 toll plaza entries, applicable to all non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag. The pass activates within two hours of payment through the app. Since its launch on August 15, 2025, the FASTag annual pass has gained over 2.5 million users and facilitated around 56.7 million transactions.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's domestic current account deficit (CAD) is projected to remain stable at approximately 1.2-1.5% of GDP in FY26, according to a Bank of Baroda report. The report emphasizes the significance of ongoing US-India trade talks, particularly as the US is a key market for India's electronic exports, which currently enjoy tariff exemptions. While India's trade deficit has widened this fiscal year due to imports outpacing export growth, the non-oil-non-gold import segment reflects improved domestic demand. Seasonal factors are expected to drive higher gold imports in the latter half of the year, although lower oil prices may provide some relief. Encouragingly, exports to Asian partners and key European nations have shown growth, indicating diversification in markets. Overall, India's external position appears stable, but the outcome of US-India trade negotiations will be crucial in the coming months.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a concerted effort to combat hidden hunger and malnutrition in Punjab, millers, nutrition experts, and government officials have launched the "Millers for Nutrition" initiative, supported by TechnoServe and the Gates Foundation. The initiative was unveiled at the event "Unlocking Market Potential: Advancing Fortified Rice in Punjab," where experts emphasized the importance of fortifying staple foods. Monoji Indra from TechnoServe highlighted that fortified rice could become a dietary staple, complementing government efforts to distribute fortified rice through social safety nets. The event also introduced "The Rice Pot," a new brand of fortified rice enriched with essential nutrients, aimed at improving public health. Mohit Gupta, CEO of Jai Maa Chhinmastika Rice Mills, underscored the responsibility of millers in enhancing community health. With a vision to integrate fortified foods into every Indian household, Millers for Nutrition is committed to addressing malnutrition across the country.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's Green Revolution transformed the nation from food scarcity to self-sufficiency, but it relied heavily on unsustainable practices that depleted soil and water resources. As climate change challenges this model, the focus must shift from merely increasing production to smarter, sustainable practices that prioritize the farmer's role. The National Agri-Climate Action Plan aims to empower farmers with the necessary information and infrastructure, fostering resilience through trust and agency. However, India's over-extraction of groundwater and reliance on chemical fertilizers have led to environmental and economic risks, threatening agricultural competitiveness. To address these issues, a cohesive system like AgriStack is essential, integrating data on soil health, groundwater, and weather patterns to provide actionable insights for farmers. This transition requires political courage and a commitment to long-term sustainability, ensuring that future generations can thrive through informed agricultural practices. The goal is to leverage science and technology to create a resilient agricultural framework.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 10 ameznews.inChina Eastern Airlines is set to resume flights between Shanghai and Delhi starting November 9, marking a significant step in the restoration of direct air links between China and India after a five-year hiatus. The flights will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as confirmed by the airline's online ticket sales platform. This development follows a diplomatic thaw, coinciding with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to China for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, where discussions included enhancing trade relations amid concerns over India's growing trade deficit with China. The resumption of flights comes after direct air links were suspended in 2020 due to military tensions along the Himalayan border. Additionally, India's largest airline, IndiGo, has announced plans for daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, further promoting connectivity between the two nations.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe fertile plains of Gujarat, crucial to India's potato processing industry, are facing a significant decline in soil health due to years of monocropping, excessive irrigation, and unbalanced fertiliser use. This deterioration has led to increased soil alkalinity, reduced organic carbon, and nutrient imbalances, resulting in smaller tubers and higher rejection rates at processing units. In response, HyFarm has initiated the "Soil Stewardship Initiative," which involves detailed soil analysis and targeted interventions to restore soil vitality. Techniques such as applying phosphoric acid and organic matter, along with adjusting fertiliser types, are being implemented to improve soil conditions and crop quality. This shift towards data-driven, regenerative agriculture aims to enhance productivity and resilience in the region, emphasizing the importance of soil as a living system essential for sustainable farming and food security in India.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced minimum support prices (MSPs) for six rabi crops for the 2026-27 marketing season, raising questions about the methodology used for their estimation. The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) employs a Composite Input Price Index (CIPI) to forecast farm input prices, combining historical cultivation costs with comprehensive cost calculations. While the announced MSPs exceed 1.5 times the paid-out cost for some crops, they fall short of those derived from comprehensive cost assessments. The disparity is particularly notable for rabi pulses and oilseeds compared to wheat and barley. Additionally, the marketed surplus ratio (MSR) suggests that higher MSPs could encourage crop diversification, particularly in oilseeds. However, effective implementation of MSPs relies on state enforcement, farmer awareness, and improved yield estimation methods, including technology and satellite imagery, to enhance accuracy in production forecasts.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Rajasthan High Court has prohibited the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) from allowing the sale, manufacture, distribution, or import of genetically modified (GM) food until regulations under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006 are established. This ruling, delivered by a two-judge bench, could complicate ongoing trade discussions between India and the US, particularly regarding American GM corn and soybeans. The court's decision stemmed from petitions by three individuals who expressed concerns over the lack of regulatory frameworks governing GM foods, which they argued undermined public health and consumer interests. The judges emphasized the need for timely standards and safety protocols, stating that the absence of such regulations rendered the legislative intent ineffective. The FSSAI and the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) have been restrained from granting permissions for GM food products until the necessary regulations are in place.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 9 pm
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