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The Indian government has mandated edible oil producers to submit monthly data on production, imports, and sales through a new portal, as part of an amendment to the Vegetable Oil Products Production and Availability (Regulation) Order of 2011, effective August 1. This initiative, aimed at enhancing compliance and data accuracy, requires producers to report detailed information on raw materials, manufactured products, and stock levels by the 15th of each month. The order empowers the Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oils to conduct inspections and seize stocks if discrepancies arise. While the organized sector is prepared to comply, the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association has raised concerns about the challenges posed by the fragmented unorganized sector, which complicates data collection. The government hopes that improved data will facilitate better policymaking in the edible oil industry, addressing previous concerns over inconsistent reporting. 
Published: Aug 03 2025, 5 pmeznews.inClimate change is significantly affecting marine ecosystems and fisheries in India, prompting urgent calls for action from marine scientists at a recent seminar organized by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and the Institute of Social Sciences. Key issues include altered fish life cycles, with species like silver pomfret maturing at smaller sizes, and the northward migration of fish stocks due to changing environmental conditions. Coral reef bleaching in Lakshadweep further threatens biodiversity and coastal protection, highlighting the need for community-oriented conservation policies. Experts stress the importance of accurate predictive models for weather events and fish distribution to support sustainable fisheries. Additionally, the degradation of seagrass beds and increased cyclone frequency have exacerbated challenges for local communities. Proposed solutions include seaweed farming to restore ecosystems and the implementation of a carbon market system to incentivize sustainable practices among fishermen.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 6 pmeznews.inHeavy rainfall has been reported across the South Peninsula and the foothills of North-West India, while the rest of the country continues to experience a weak phase of the monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that extremely heavy rains lashed Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Mahe, with significant precipitation also affecting Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. The monsoon trough has shifted northward, but fresh moisture from a circulation off the Tamil Nadu coast is expected to enhance rainfall in the region. Forecasts indicate that extremely heavy rainfall is likely in West Uttar Pradesh and northern Kerala in the coming days, with a potential low-pressure area forming over the Odisha coast by mid-August, signaling an end to the weak monsoon phase. This shift may lead to widespread rains across the country, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as the Madden-Julian Oscillation wave influences weather patterns.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has reported that the net sown area has remained stable despite a slight decline in cultivable land, according to Union Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur. In a Lok Sabha statement, he highlighted that the gross cropped area has increased from 201.3 million hectares in 2013-14 to 217.8 million hectares in 2023-24, driven by government initiatives and technological advancements. Cropping intensity has also risen from 142.5% to 156.8%, indicating a shift towards multiple cropping practices. In response to queries, Minister Jitin Prasada noted that natural rubber consumption is projected at 14.10 lakh tonnes for 2024-25, while production is at 8.75 lakh tonnes, with efforts underway to enhance cultivation in the North East. Additionally, no plans for a National Millet Board were announced, although millet production reached 180.15 lakh tonnes. Cocoa production saw a slight increase, and 62,630 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund have been geo-tagged to improve market linkages.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is currently engaged in discussions regarding the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which aims to enhance trade and investment between the two nations. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Ramnath Thakur, emphasized that the government prioritizes the livelihood interests of Indian farmers during these negotiations. The BTA discussions, which began in March 2025, have seen five rounds of talks, with the latest held in Washington from July 14-18, 2025. The focus is on creating an integrated approach to bolster bilateral trade by increasing market access and reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Additionally, the Union Commerce Ministry has reiterated the importance of protecting farmers and domestic industries through the inclusion of sensitive goods in trade negotiations and the ability to implement trade remedial measures in response to import surges.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 5 pmeznews.inNova Dairy, a subsidiary of Sterling Agro Industries Ltd, has launched a sustainable dairy programme in collaboration with Nestlé and Unilever, covering seven model farms in Fatehabad and Morena. The initiative, which involves 175 cattle, aims to enhance milk yield through advanced practices such as high-yield fodder production, improved animal welfare systems, and genetic enhancements for better fertility. Notably, the programme has achieved a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per litre of milk, showcasing the benefits of improved husbandry. At its Malanpur plant, Nova Dairy has implemented a 1.5 MWh solar power facility and adopted clean energy solutions to meet its operational needs. The company is also exploring biogas systems to convert manure into renewable energy and is modifying cattle diets to further reduce methane emissions. Additionally, solar microgrids have been expanded across milk collection centres, inspired by successful collaborations in the renewable energy sector.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 5 pmeznews.inDP World has launched two new domestic rail services connecting Bhimasar and Hazira in Gujarat to Kolkata, aimed at enhancing cargo movement between western manufacturing hubs and eastern trade centers. The Bhimasar-Kolkata service will operate bi-monthly with an 8-day transit time and a capacity of 90 TEUs, while the Hazira-Kolkata service will also run twice a month, completing its journey in 7 days. These routes will primarily transport edible oils, chemicals, steel, industrial goods, food grains, and salt. Adhendru Jain, Vice President of Rail and Inland Terminals at DP World Subcontinent, emphasized the importance of these services in linking Gujarat's manufacturing base with Kolkata, facilitating smoother supply chains. This initiative is part of DP World’s $207 million investment in Indian rail freight solutions, which includes a robust network of inland terminals and a significant container terminal at Mundra, further bolstering regional trade connectivity.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSince the beginning of fiscal year 2025, India's Nifty index has seen a 10% increase, despite ongoing challenges in corporate earnings. The April-to-June quarter continued a trend of lackluster performance, with aggregate profit growth for 38 of the Nifty 50 firms at just 7.5%, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services. While the Indian economy is projected to grow at 6.5% this year with low inflation, sectors such as banking and IT are grappling with weak domestic and global demand. Analysts have downgraded full-year earnings estimates for many companies, reflecting a broader slowdown in nominal GDP growth, which is expected to remain below 10% for a third consecutive year. Experts suggest that a meaningful recovery may not occur until the second half of FY2026, contingent on improved credit growth and rural demand, leaving market benchmarks likely rangebound in the interim.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAgritech firm Cropin has secured a €700,000 contract under EIT Food’s Impact Funding Framework to launch its AI-driven initiative, FIRST Potato, aimed at promoting regenerative practices in potato farming across Europe. The project will establish a consortium of food processors, research institutions, and sustainability experts to facilitate the shift from conventional to regenerative agriculture. Cropin's decision support system integrates real-time data from various sources to provide tailored daily advisories to farmers, optimizing irrigation and input usage while enhancing soil health. The initiative will validate its effectiveness through pilot farms in Denmark and commercial trials with potato processors in Germany and the UK. CEO Krishna Kumar emphasized the importance of measurable outcomes in regenerative agriculture, stating that FIRST Potato aims to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices that are both profitable and scientifically validated, ultimately benefiting the entire agri-food ecosystem.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inNew Delhi has defended its trade relationship with Russia, dismissing criticism from the US and European Union as "unjustified and unreasonable." Indian officials are facing challenges in engaging with the Trump administration due to numerous key foreign policy positions remaining unfilled, complicating efforts to secure a favorable trade deal. The urgency for New Delhi to advocate its position has intensified following the imposition of a 25% tariff by the US, which President Trump has threatened to increase due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil. The US claims that such transactions are funding Russia's war against Ukraine. India countered that the EU and US also engage in trade with Russia, questioning the consistency of their stance. The absence of critical roles, including the Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs and the US Ambassador to India, has further strained bilateral relations, with the US National Security Council's downsizing exacerbating the situation.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia is poised to enhance its role in the global economy over the coming decades, according to a recent Morgan Stanley report. The analysis highlights expectations of rising credit to GDP and an increased share of manufacturing in the economy, driven by strong foundational factors such as robust population growth, a functioning democracy, and improved infrastructure. The report predicts that India will emerge as the world's most sought-after consumer market, undergo a significant energy transition, and achieve a primary surplus within three years. While the stock market shows sustained demand due to improved macroeconomic stability, caution remains due to weak foreign portfolio investor positioning and potential risks from global economic slowdowns, geopolitical tensions, and rising oil prices. Despite these challenges, Morgan Stanley expresses confidence in India's long-term economic prospects, suggesting that the country could perform well in a global bear market.
Published: Aug 05 2025, 3 pm
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