eznews.inThe Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has expressed cautious optimism regarding the anticipated India-US bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to enhance market access for various goods, including agriculture and processed foods. In a letter to members, SEA President Sanjeev Asthana highlighted the need for careful scrutiny of the edible oil and oilseed sectors, particularly concerning biotechnology and genetically modified crops, which remain contentious, especially for soybean meal. He warned that increased access to US-origin DDGS could disrupt India's domestic feed and maize markets, urging regulatory caution to maintain agricultural price stability and domestic competitiveness. Meanwhile, the Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated ₹1.63 lakh crore to agriculture, focusing on irrigation, credit support, and high-value crops to diversify farm incomes. SEA also proposed including specific HSN codes for minor forest products in tariff negotiations with the UK, aiming to benefit India's tribal communities. 
Published: Feb 20 2026, 3 pmeznews.inAkasa Air has reported that since launching its 'Pets on Akasa' service in November 2022, it has successfully transported over 10,000 pets, highlighting a growing trend in pet travel. The airline's Chief Marketing Officer, Naarayan T V, noted that 26% of pet owners have chosen to fly with Akasa more than once, indicating a strong level of trust in the airline's travel experience. The service has seen particularly high demand during the festive season, with October to December accounting for nearly 35% of annual pet journeys. The Bengaluru-Delhi-Bengaluru route emerged as the most popular, representing 13.6% of all pet travel. Dogs comprised 60% of the pets flown, while cats made up the remaining 40%, with 93% of pets travelling in-cabin. The airline also observed significant demand for pet travel on routes to and from Guwahati, beyond major metropolitan areas.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has disbursed ₹28,748 crore under its Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, aimed at bolstering domestic manufacturing across 14 sectors, including electronics and pharmaceuticals, since their launch in 2021. With a total outlay of ₹1.97 lakh crore, the PLI initiative has approved 836 applications, leading to investments exceeding ₹2.16 lakh crore and generating employment for over 14.39 lakh individuals. The sectors involved have reported cumulative sales of ₹20.41 lakh crore and exports of ₹8.3 lakh crore. Notably, the scheme has significantly reduced mobile phone imports by nearly 77% since 2020-21, with local production now meeting over 99% of domestic demand. Additionally, the PLI has spurred advancements in electric mobility and critical components manufacturing, while the food processing sector has attracted investments of over ₹9,200 crore. The initiative is also set to enhance solar module manufacturing capacity with commitments nearing ₹52,942 crore.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 3 pmeznews.inInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) during a panel at the AI Impact Summit, stating it could boost global growth by 0.8%. This increase would enable the world to grow faster than pre-pandemic levels, creating more jobs and opportunities. Georgieva emphasized that this growth trajectory aligns with India's ambition to become a developed nation, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047, aiming for a $30 trillion economy. However, she also warned of significant risks posed by AI to the job market, predicting that 40% of jobs globally could be affected, with the impact more pronounced in advanced economies, where up to 60% of jobs may be at risk. The dual nature of AI's potential benefits and challenges underscores the need for careful management as nations navigate this technological shift.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 3 pmeznews.inAgritech firm Varsapradaya is revolutionizing India's coffee cultivation with the launch of IoT-based automated weather gauge stations and soil nutrient monitoring devices. CEO Prem Thudia announced the rollout of these solar-powered systems, with 20 installations completed and plans to expand to 450-500 devices this year, reflecting a growing demand for tech-driven farm management solutions. The soil monitoring device provides real-time insights into key soil parameters, while the weather stations deliver critical climatic data for effective plantation management. Priced at ₹65,000 and ₹40,000 respectively, these tools enhance cost efficiency for growers managing medium-sized holdings. Varsapradaya also aims to offer advisory services through an app, delivering actionable insights and disease alerts. As coffee growers face increasing agronomic challenges due to climate change, precision monitoring tools are becoming essential. The company plans to establish a manufacturing unit in Mysore and is exploring applications for other crops like pepper and arecanut.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 12 pmeznews.inA three-day meeting between Indian and American officials is set to commence on February 23 in the US to finalize the legal text of an interim trade agreement. This follows a joint statement earlier this month confirming the framework of the deal, which aims to extend duty concessions on various traded goods. The Indian delegation, led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain from the Commerce Ministry, will work to translate the agreement's contours into a formal legal document, anticipated to be signed in March. Notably, the US plans to reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18% and has already lifted punitive tariffs on Indian imports of Russian crude oil. This agreement marks a significant step in enhancing trade relations between the two nations.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 12 pmeznews.inTea prices at Kochi auctions have seen a notable increase this week, driven by strong demand that continues to outstrip limited supplies. Premium orthodox leaf grades in Sale:8 rose by up to ₹15 per kg, while CTC dust prices improved by ₹3 to ₹5. Anil George, Chairman of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin, highlighted that lower arrivals, steady domestic consumption, and renewed interest from CIS and Middle Eastern markets, particularly for orthodox teas, have contributed to this upward trend. The robust economic activity in Kerala and aggressive local bidding further supported prices, providing relief to South Indian tea producers amid rising labour and fertiliser costs. Auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis reported a strong CTC dust market with 94% of 6,33,184 kg sold, while the orthodox leaf market saw 98% of 1,90,432 kg sold, largely due to demand from upcountry buyers and exporters. Prices are expected to remain firm if the current demand-supply imbalance persists.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIndia has officially joined the US-led strategic alliance, ‘Pax Silica’, aimed at enhancing supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). The agreement was signed by IT Secretary S Krishnan and US Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, who emphasized the coalition's focus on building a resilient economic order. The Pax Silica initiative, which includes nations such as Australia, Japan, and the UK, seeks to foster deep economic and technological cooperation, ensuring mutual prosperity and security. Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the partnership's potential to democratize AI benefits globally, asserting that collaboration is essential for maximizing outcomes in this transformative field. The declaration underscores the importance of reliable supply chains and trustworthy AI systems for long-term economic security. This strategic move follows a recent bilateral trade agreement and reflects a growing commitment to innovation-driven cooperation between the US and India.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia's private sector experienced a notable acceleration in February, driven by strong demand for goods, despite steady growth in services, as indicated by HSBC’s flash India Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which rose to 59.3 from January's 58.4. This marks the highest level in three months and surpasses a Reuters poll forecast of 59.0. The increase was fueled by a significant rise in new orders, attributed to robust demand, local tourism, and marketing efforts, with international sales also seeing their fastest growth in five months. While manufacturing PMI improved to 57.5, services PMI remained stable at 58.4. However, inflationary pressures intensified, with input costs rising at the fastest rate in 15 months, prompting concerns for the Reserve Bank of India, which is expected to maintain its key policy rate at 5.25% amid rising retail inflation of 2.75%.
Published: Feb 20 2026, 10 ameznews.inCustoms officials at Nhava Sheva port have detained 46 containers from the Comoros-flagged vessel _WIV Reyfa_, which are reportedly misdeclared as Afghan walnuts but actually contain produce from China. The ship, which has been held for over two weeks, was flagged for inspection following specific intelligence from the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). An arrest has been made in connection with the case, which involves an estimated ₹50 crore in duty evasion. Traders have long exploited misdeclarations to benefit from zero-duty imports under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), with walnuts from the US and Chile often misrepresented as Afghan to evade a 100% customs duty imposed to protect domestic growers. The CIU has noted that traders manipulate documentation to create false trails for these shipments, a practice that extends beyond walnuts to other commodities like arecanut and garlic.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pm
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