eznews.inAs India prepares for the 2026–27 Union Budget, agriculture is highlighted as a crucial driver of development, employing 46.1% of the workforce yet contributing less than 20% to GDP. Despite significant nominal increases in budget allocations for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, its share of the total Central Plan outlay has declined, indicating a diminishing relative priority. While initiatives like PM-KISAN have improved income predictability, the sector faces persistent productivity challenges due to weak seed systems, inefficient water use, and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure. Current budgetary focus on income support and subsidies does not adequately address these structural issues. Experts argue for a strategic shift in budget priorities towards enhancing productivity and value-chain integration, rather than merely managing distress. To truly position agriculture as an engine of growth, the upcoming budget must emphasize coherent strategies and targeted investments rather than just increased spending. 
Published: Jan 31 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian Railways has made a significant advancement in rail safety with the commissioning of the automatic train protection system, Kavach, across 472.3 route kilometres on key corridors, including the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes. This deployment, which spans three sections—Vadodara-Virar (344 km), Tuglakabad Junction Cabin-Palwal (35 km), and Manpur-Sarmatanr (93.3 km)—marks the highest-ever rollout of Kavach on a single day and month. With this latest addition, Kavach Version 4.0 has now been implemented over a total of 1,306.3 route kilometres across five railway zones. The system aims to enhance operational safety and reliability, with successful tests demonstrating its effectiveness, including a head-on collision test during the inaugural run of the Sasaram Intercity Express. Future expansions are planned, with ongoing work on additional sections expected to be completed by 2026.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's livestock sector has evolved into a vital economic driver, significantly contributing to rural livelihoods, food security, and trade. With milk production projected to reach nearly 248 million tonnes in 2024-25, India maintains its status as the world's largest milk producer. The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹3,880 crore Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme to enhance animal health and productivity, while the ongoing 21st Livestock Census aims to provide crucial data for policy planning. However, challenges such as high feed costs, which account for 60-80% of production expenses, persist. Infrastructure investments, particularly through the ₹29,610 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, are essential for improving export competitiveness, with livestock exports reaching $5.1 billion in FY25. Enhanced credit access and skill development initiatives are also critical for transforming livestock farming into profitable enterprises. Coordinated efforts are needed to balance smallholder support with high-value export growth, positioning India as a global leader in livestock productivity.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 9 ameznews.inAgriculture is undergoing a profound transformation as climate change increasingly disrupts traditional farming practices. Record-breaking heatwaves, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events in 2024 and 2025 have heightened uncertainty in crop yields, with heat stress and unseasonal conditions damaging productivity and increasing pest threats. Farmers are now compelled to adapt by diversifying crops and adopting innovative technologies, such as precision farming and weather-based advisories, to mitigate risks. This shift is not merely reactive; it reflects a broader evolution in agricultural strategies, emphasizing resilience, sustainability, and adaptability over mere yield. As policies evolve to support climate-smart agriculture, the focus is shifting towards building a more robust agricultural system capable of thriving amid uncertainty. The challenge lies in ensuring that this transition is inclusive, backed by research, responsive policies, and accessible technology, ultimately redefining agricultural success in the face of climate extremes.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 8 ameznews.inIndia's fertiliser trade is at a pivotal moment as it approaches the Union Budget 2026, necessitating a digitally enabled and climate-aligned policy for sustainable growth. As one of the world's largest fertiliser importers and producers, India faces challenges in maintaining food security and farmer affordability. Key recommendations for the upcoming budget include rationalising the subsidy structure to promote efficiency and innovation, investing in logistics and port infrastructure to reduce costs, and securing diverse raw material partnerships to mitigate supply risks. Additionally, incentivising green ammonia production and alternative fertilisers can help reduce carbon emissions and enhance nutrient security. Streamlining taxation and facilitating trade through a unified digital platform are also crucial for improving competitiveness. These strategic measures aim to bolster India's position in the global fertiliser market while ensuring long-term resilience for its agricultural sector.
Published: Jan 31 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe turnover of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) has surged significantly in B2B transactions since the government initiated weekly webinars last year, facilitating connections between farmers and corporates. To date, FPOs have transacted ₹1,100 crore under B2B arrangements, with ₹662 crore earned through the NCDEX futures trading platform. In contrast, online sales via the government’s GeM portal and ONDC platform have reached only ₹5 crore, while FPOs have minimal presence on major e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart. Currently, 1,131 of the 10,000 FPOs established under the Centre’s equity scheme boast turnovers exceeding ₹1 crore, prompting the government to aim for 5,000 such 'crorepati' FPOs by the next fiscal year. Biprojyoti Bhowmik, MD of New Agriverse FPO, highlighted the potential for increased exports, contingent on government support for necessary certifications, while also noting the prohibitive commissions on larger e-commerce platforms.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Central government's total expenditure reached ₹33.8 lakh crore by December 2025, accounting for 66.7% of the budget estimates for the fiscal year 2025-26. The fiscal deficit stood at ₹8.55 lakh crore, or 54.5% of budget estimates, a slight improvement from 56.7% in the previous year. Government revenue totaled ₹25.25 lakh crore, comprising ₹19.39 lakh crore in tax revenue and ₹5.39 lakh crore in non-tax revenue. Experts suggest that the fiscal deficit target of ₹15.69 lakh crore, or 4.4% of GDP, is achievable without significant cuts in revenue expenditure, despite a projected nominal GDP growth of only 8%. Additionally, inflows from small savings schemes surged by 32% to ₹2.3 lakh crore, raising concerns about potential overshooting of fiscal targets. Analysts remain optimistic that higher non-tax revenues and expenditure savings will help maintain fiscal discipline.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 9 pmeznews.inGG Tronics India Private Ltd (GGT), a subsidiary of CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd, has been awarded a ₹433 crore contract by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for the supply and deployment of Kavach, India's indigenous train collision avoidance system. The order encompasses the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of on-board Kavach locomotive equipment, adhering to RDSO specifications, with a one-year execution timeline. Additionally, an annual maintenance contract (AMC) will be in place for 11 years, commencing from the fifth year at a rate of 3% per annum. The contract also includes comprehensive wiring, harnessing, cabling, and integration with the Kavach system. GGT is nearing final RDSO clearance for Kavach 4.0, having completed all essential safety tests, including those for signal passing at danger and collision prevention, with an independent safety assessment set to begin in February.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inChief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has highlighted a positive trend in private sector investment, with gross fixed capital formation as a ratio of GDP hovering around 30-31%. In an interview following the Economic Survey's presentation in Parliament, he emphasized the need to transform global challenges into opportunities, advocating for free trade agreements and increased private sector innovation. Nageswaran acknowledged that while private investments have not fully aligned with public capital expenditure, recent corporate data suggests significant growth in FY25. He stressed the importance of indigenization, not as a means to erect import barriers, but to enhance export capacities and resilience. Addressing the performance of lagging sectors, he noted that the government is actively pursuing measures to boost exports through various free trade agreements. On currency stability, he underscored the necessity of fostering competitive manufacturing and exports to strengthen the rupee over time.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is reportedly considering a budgetary allocation exceeding ₹1,000 crore for its new Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) 2.0 scheme, aimed at fostering a self-sustaining drone ecosystem. This initiative, which has transitioned from the Civil Aviation Ministry to the Finance Ministry, is expected to be unveiled in the upcoming Union Budget for FY27. Building on the previous PLI 1.0 launched in 2021, the new scheme will incentivize domestic manufacturing of drones and their components, as well as related services like leasing and software sales. Currently, about 50-60% of drone parts in India are imported, but the PLI 2.0 aims to boost local production to 30% of total drone value. With around 300 manufacturers in the country, the initiative is poised to meet growing demand across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and security, while reducing reliance on foreign imports.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pm
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