eznews.inAndhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu unveiled a substantial ₹53,752 crore budget for the Agri and Allied Sectors for the 2026-27 financial year during a session in Amaravati. The budget allocates ₹14,277 crore for irrigation, ₹13,722 crore for the power sector, and ₹12,152 crore for the Agriculture Department, reflecting agriculture's significant contribution of 33.20% to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of ₹17.62 lakh crore. Atchannaidu highlighted the state's impressive agricultural growth rate of 7.83%, surpassing the national average of 0.80%, and noted that Andhra Pradesh accounts for 10% of India's agricultural output. Additionally, ₹6,600 crore has been earmarked for the 'Annadata Sukheebhava - PM Kisan' financial assistance scheme, and the budget aims to expand micro irrigation by adding 3.75 lakh acres to the existing 5.5 lakh acres. 
Published: Feb 14 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has implemented stricter alcohol-testing regulations for pilots and cabin crew, mandating video-recorded breath-analyser tests and enhanced reporting protocols. Under the new Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), all crew members must undergo pre-flight and post-flight breath-analyser examinations, with recordings retained for six months. Operators are obligated to report any positive or missed tests within 24 hours. The regulations introduce a tiered penalty system, ranging from warnings to potential licence suspensions for serious infractions, including tampering with testing equipment. Notably, crew members assigned to flights carrying VIPs must undergo pre-flight testing, with no option for post-flight testing. The updated rules also extend to non-scheduled operators and flying training institutes, requiring daily testing of a proportion of student pilots. These changes come amid rising concerns over alcohol compliance following incidents involving unfit pilots, including a recent case involving an Air India pilot in Vancouver.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia must transition from a focus on growth at scale to enhancing productivity as it aims for Viksit Bharat by 2047, according to a KPMG report. Titled "Top 10 Priorities for India's Next Growth Phase," the report outlines a strategic agenda emphasizing manufacturing depth, human capital, and infrastructure efficiency. It highlights the need for a shift from assembly to comprehensive manufacturing, improved logistics, and a focus on quality outcomes in education and services. With a median age of 28 and a projected working-age population of over 1.13 billion by 2050, the report calls for operationalizing the National Education Policy and enhancing skills in advanced sectors. Strengthening MSMEs, which employ over 110 million, and improving infrastructure utilization are also critical. The report underscores the importance of fiscal discipline and private capital engagement, asserting that Viksit Bharat represents an ongoing commitment to building a prosperous, resilient, and inclusive nation.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 11 ameznews.inIndia has announced the approval for the export of 2.5 million tons of wheat, marking a significant easing of restrictions that have been in place for over three years. This decision comes as a response to improved domestic supplies following bumper harvests, aimed at supporting local farmers. Additionally, the government has sanctioned extra shipments of 500,000 tons each of wheat products and sugar, building on previous approvals, according to a statement from the Food Ministry. The move is notable as India, the world's second-largest wheat producer, had imposed a ban on wheat exports in 2022 due to soaring local prices triggered by a heat wave that adversely affected crop yields. This latest development reflects a shift in policy as the country seeks to stabilize its agricultural market and enhance export opportunities.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 11 ameznews.inOnline travel portal ixigo has made its first overseas acquisition by securing a 60% stake in Trenes, Spain's second-largest online train booking platform, for approximately ₹125 crore. The acquisition, announced late Friday, will be executed through ixigo's Singaporean subsidiary and is expected to be finalized by the end of March. Additionally, ixigo has acquired a 45% stake in Spanish startup Sqaas for around ₹5 crore. Founded in 2013, Trenes has established itself as a profitable platform, generating revenues of about €5.5 million and a net profit of €1.35 million in 2025. The deal follows ixigo's recent fundraising efforts, including a ₹1,296 crore stake sale to Prosus. ixigo aims to leverage Trenes' customer base and local integrations alongside its own technological capabilities to enhance service offerings in the European market.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 10 ameznews.inOil marketing companies in India have issued tenders for 1,050 crore litres of ethanol for the ethanol supply year 2025-26, marking a significant step in the country’s agricultural and energy landscape. This initiative is not merely about fuel; it represents a transformative economic model for rural communities, providing farmers with stable incomes and creating local jobs. Over the past decade, India’s ethanol programme has injected over ₹1.07 lakh crore directly into farming households, enhancing food security and reducing distress migration. The demand for ethanol has nearly doubled maize prices, empowering farmers to diversify their crops and improve their livelihoods. Each ethanol plant generates substantial employment, fostering local economies and reducing reliance on urban migration. As India aims for a 20% ethanol blending target by 2025, the initiative not only bolsters energy security but also exemplifies how sustainable policies can drive economic justice and rural development.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe Union Budget 2026-27, themed around the concept of three Kartavyas, aims to address citizen aspirations, yet scrutiny reveals troubling trends in agricultural funding. Expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors decreased by ₹6,985 crore from the previous year's budget estimates, despite a nominal increase to ₹1,62,671 crore for 2026-27. Major schemes like RKVY and Krishionnati Yojana saw cuts of ₹1,500 crore and ₹1,200 crore, respectively, reflecting a broader pattern of reduced allocations. This decline is attributed to revenue constraints, with gross tax revenue falling from ₹42.7 lakh crore to ₹40.8 lakh crore, partly due to tax rebates aimed at the middle class. Despite agriculture's critical role, employing 46.1% of the workforce, budgetary support for essential programs remains stagnant or declining. The fiscal discipline required to maintain a 4.3% deficit limits necessary investments, raising concerns about the sector's resilience and long-term viability.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inIn discussions surrounding agricultural floor prices in India, the focus often remains on fluctuating costs like fertilizers and diesel, while the human cost of farming—the physical and mental toll on farmers—goes unacknowledged. As India aims for its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, a critical question arises: can a nation be deemed developed if its farmers are treated as mere cogs in a machine? Dr. P J Patil proposes a transformative approach by introducing a Health-Adjusted Production Function, which recognizes farmers' health as a vital component of productivity. This shift could lead to a 15-25% increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for labor-intensive crops, reflecting the true economic value of farmers' health. By prioritizing farmer well-being, India can enhance its global trade position, ensuring ethically grown produce meets international standards. Ultimately, the path to a robust economy hinges on valuing the human capital behind agricultural production.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inIn 2026, India's agri-food processing sector has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from traditional farming to a sophisticated global powerhouse, with the broader agri-food value chain valued at approximately $350–390 billion. Once solely the backbone of the domestic economy, Indian farmers now support a global value chain, connecting local produce to international markets and employing over seven million people. Despite facing challenges such as increased tariffs in Western markets post-pandemic, India has strategically pivoted its trade approach, leveraging Free Trade Agreements with the UAE and Australia to diversify its export footprint. Significant investment commitments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore (around $12 billion) are modernizing the rural agri-ecosystem, with initiatives like Mega Food Parks and cold chain logistics expected to create up to 2.5 million new jobs. As the sector aims for a valuation of $535 billion by 2027, it is increasingly adopting global standards and shifting towards higher-margin, value-added products.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe recent signing of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a significant step in India's approach to international agricultural trade, particularly in the dairy sector. This agreement adopts a balanced trade strategy, safeguarding Indian farmers while preparing the dairy industry for future global engagement through value-added growth. Notably, the FTA does not impose immediate tariff reductions on dairy products, recognizing the vulnerability of India's decentralized dairy sector, which is largely composed of small farmers. By protecting local production and promoting regulatory cooperation, the agreement aims to enhance the competitiveness of Indian dairy exports, particularly in processed segments like butter and milk powders. As the industry adapts to global standards of quality, sustainability, and innovation, the FTA lays the groundwork for a sustainable and gradual integration into the global market, ensuring farmer welfare remains central to India's dairy strategy.
Published: Feb 14 2026, 9 am
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