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The Gujarat government has extended the registration deadline for wheat farmers wishing to sell their rabi crop at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to April 5, 2025. This decision, announced on Thursday, aims to accommodate those who missed the initial registration period, which ran from March 1 to March 16. Farmers can now register online and complete biometric authentication at e-gram centres managed by Village Computer Entrepreneurs. The government has commenced wheat procurement at an MSP of ₹2,425 per quintal, starting March 17, although it has not disclosed the expected volume of wheat purchases for the season. This extension is part of the state's efforts to support local farmers and ensure they can benefit from the MSP scheme. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's domestic air passenger traffic saw a robust growth of 11.04% in February 2025, with approximately 1.40 crore passengers flying, up from 1.26 crore in February 2024, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This marks an annual increase of 11.16% and a monthly rise from January's 1.46 crore passengers. Leading the market, IndiGo carried 89.40 lakh passengers, securing a dominant 63.7% market share. The Air India Group, which includes Air India Express, followed with 38.30 lakh passengers and a 27.3% share. Other carriers included SpiceJet, which transported 4.54 lakh passengers for a 3.2% share, and Akasa Air, with 6.59 lakh passengers and a 4.7% share. Smaller players like Alliance Air and Star Air reported market shares of 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively, highlighting the competitive landscape of India's aviation sector.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmeznews.inDelhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has announced that all flights currently operating from Terminal 2 (T2) will be relocated to Terminal 1 (T1) starting April 15, 2025, as part of a refurbishment plan for T2, which will be closed for four to six months. T2 currently manages around 270-280 air traffic movements and serves over 46,000 passengers daily, primarily from Akasa Air and IndiGo. This transition is a significant step in DIAL's ongoing modernization efforts, following the completion of T1's expansion under the Phase 3A project. T1, which was dedicated to the nation in March 2024 but faced operational delays due to an accident, is now equipped with advanced features including self-service kiosks and facial recognition systems. DIAL aims to transform Delhi Airport into a state-of-the-art aviation hub, with a capacity to handle over 100 million passengers annually across its three terminals.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's Finance Ministry has implemented amendments to the Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Amendment Rules 2020, effective March 18, 2025, requiring importers to provide 'proof of origin' instead of a 'certificate of origin' to qualify for preferential duty rates under trade agreements. This change aims to combat the circumvention of tariffs on Chinese goods rerouted through third countries, such as Vietnam and Singapore, which have been exploiting Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to gain lower tariffs. Experts, including Sivakumar Ramjee from Nangia Andersen LLP, emphasize that the new regulations enhance scrutiny of imports, ensuring compliance with origin criteria and protecting domestic industries from unfair competition. The amendments, stemming from the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024, align India's customs framework with evolving international trade practices, promoting due diligence among importers and facilitating better market access under FTAs.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAs of March 20, 2025, water levels in India's 155 major reservoirs have dropped to 45% of their total capacity, with half of them falling below 50%, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). Current storage stands at 80.7 billion cubic metres (BCM) out of a capacity of 180.85 BCM, a decline attributed to a heat wave affecting many regions. Notably, 53 reservoirs are below 40% capacity, while 30 others are below 50%. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that around 80% of 713 districts experienced deficient rainfall from March 1 to 20, following a similarly dry winter. Regionally, northern reservoirs are particularly low, with Himachal Pradesh at 19% and Punjab at 21%. Conversely, some reservoirs in Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra exceed 50% capacity. The IMD anticipates upcoming rains, which may alleviate the current water scarcity.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inBoomitra, an international soil carbon project developer, has joined forces with EID Parry, a major integrated sugar producer, to promote sustainable sugarcane farming in India. This partnership aims to equip over 150,000 farmers with regenerative agricultural tools, enhance soil health, and facilitate access to carbon finance, aligning with India's climate resilience goals. Utilizing advanced AI and remote sensing technology, Boomitra will enable precise measurement of soil carbon levels, allowing even smallholder farmers to engage in global carbon markets. Revenue from carbon credit sales will be reinvested into farmers' lands, boosting productivity and economic resilience. Both companies emphasize the importance of collaboration, with EID Parry's CEO highlighting the role of farmers as essential partners in creating a sustainable future. This initiative represents a significant step towards a resilient agricultural system in India, focusing on improved soil health, water conservation, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian Poultry Alliance (IPA), a subsidiary of the Allana Group, is set to establish two greenfield poultry processing units in Kishanganj, Bihar, and Zaheerabad, Telangana, as part of its expansion strategy. With an investment of approximately ₹300 crore for each unit, IPA aims to enhance its processing capacity to 1.5 lakh birds per day by the end of 2025. The company is also focusing on backward integration by investing in breeder farms, hatcheries, and feed mills, while planning to partner with existing players in the region. Managing Director Moiz Chunawala highlighted the growing demand for hygienically processed chicken, projecting a consistent growth rate exceeding 8% in poultry consumption. IPA intends to launch a retail brand and establish around 4,000 protein stores by 2030, while also exploring export opportunities for value-added poultry products. The new units will incorporate advanced technology to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAquaconnect, an integrated seafood company, has announced plans to invest $4.5 million in expanding its operations into aqua biologicals research, aiming to become one of India's top five companies in this sector. The initiative will involve establishing a formulations production facility, leveraging Aquaconnect's extensive network of 850 aqua partners to enhance real-world performance tracking and farmer feedback. CEO Rajamanohar emphasized the company's commitment to delivering science-backed formulations that create long-term value for farmers. By utilizing a data-driven approach, Aquaconnect aims to accelerate product validation and improve the efficacy of solutions in aquaculture, addressing challenges in innovation due to slow feedback loops. The company, which launched its farm care brand Dr. Grow over a year ago, is also collaborating with leading biotech firms in the EU and US to develop tailored formulations for Indian aquaculture, with its R&D base located in Gujarat.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inGruner Renewable Energy has launched Kisani Urjaa Pvt. Ltd. (KUPL), marking its entry into the agtech sector with a $1 million investment aimed at enhancing farmer livelihoods through digital innovation and sustainable practices. The initiative addresses the significant issue of agricultural waste in India, where approximately 620 million tonnes are generated annually, with only 25-30% effectively utilized. KUPL focuses on efficient waste management solutions, particularly for paddy straw, to combat environmental degradation caused by practices like stubble burning. The company has introduced the Kisani Mobile App, which connects farmers to its services, allowing them to register available feedstock for easy collection scheduling. Founder Utkarsh Gupta emphasized the goal of creating a cleaner, greener future for farming communities by transforming agricultural waste into a valuable resource, thereby promoting sustainability and enhancing income opportunities for farmers.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that no heat wave is expected across the country in the next five days, as weather-friendly pre-monsoon systems take effect. Cyclonic circulations and troughs are set to bring isolated light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to regions including Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. A western disturbance is influencing weather patterns, while troughs, which are elongated areas of low pressure, are facilitating moisture uplift from the Bay of Bengal. The pre-monsoon season is characterized by violent weather, including hailstorms, particularly in Telangana and parts of East India. Additionally, northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are forecasted to experience scattered rainfall and isolated heavy showers. Overall, the evolving weather systems are expected to bring significant precipitation across various regions, marking the transition into the monsoon season.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 3 pm
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