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Indian pepper prices are currently at a premium in international markets, trading at $8,650 per tonne, significantly higher than competitors such as Sri Lanka ($7,200), Vietnam ($7,100), Brazil ($7,000), and Indonesia ($7,500). This disparity has led to a ₹25 per kg decline in domestic prices over the past fortnight, with the Kochi terminal market reporting prices of ₹695 for ungarbled and ₹715 for garbled varieties. The influx of Sri Lankan pepper, which is priced between ₹675-690, has prompted masala manufacturers to seek cheaper imports to meet production needs. Kishore Shamji, President of the Indian Pepper and Spice Trade Association, noted that buyers are hesitant to purchase amid falling prices, while farmers in Tamil Nadu are releasing stocks. With Sri Lankan imports expected to rise further, particularly as the harvest begins in June, India's production for the year is projected at around 75,000 tonnes. 
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May 06 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn the latest market update, the SENSEX closed at 82,330.59, down by 200.15 points, while the NIFTY fell 42.30 points to settle at 25,019.80. In commodities, crude oil prices rose by 82.00 to reach 5,353.00, whereas gold and silver saw declines, with gold dropping 738.00 to 92,431.00 and silver decreasing by 600.00 to 95,315.00. Meanwhile, a report from Crisil Ratings highlights a significant rise in storage-backed renewable energy (RE) projects, which surged to 11 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, accounting for one-third of total capacities auctioned. The installed capacity is projected to reach 25-30 GW by March 2028, driven by government initiatives to enhance grid stability and sustainability. However, challenges remain, including project implementation risks, although off-take risks are considered low for half of the upcoming capacity due to secured long-term power purchase agreements.
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May 17 2025, 8 ameznews.inFarmers have long relied on instinct and observation, but artificial intelligence (AI) is now revolutionizing agriculture by addressing traditional challenges with data-driven solutions. Key applications include precision irrigation, which optimizes water use and can reduce consumption by 20-30%, and advanced pest detection, where AI-powered equipment can cut chemical usage by up to 90%. AI tools also enhance crop planning by analyzing market trends, leading to increased profits for farmers. While initial costs for AI systems can be significant, many recover their investments within two to three seasons. However, challenges such as unreliable internet access in rural areas, aging machinery, and data ownership issues persist. Looking ahead, the future of AI in farming appears bright, with innovations in task automation and affordable entry-level systems on the horizon. Ultimately, AI aims to empower farmers, enhancing both profitability and resilience in an evolving agricultural landscape.
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May 17 2025, 9 ameznews.inSmallholder farmers, constituting over 40% of India's agricultural workforce, face significant hurdles in accessing timely credit, primarily due to fragmented land records, low digital penetration in rural areas, and climate variability. Traditional lending practices, reliant on manual assessments, have proven inefficient and error-prone. However, the advent of remote sensing technology, particularly satellite imagery and geospatial analytics, is revolutionizing agricultural finance by enabling banks to make data-driven lending decisions. This shift allows for dynamic credit scoring, faster loan disbursal, and improved risk management, particularly in identifying covariate risks like droughts and floods. Moreover, remote sensing democratizes credit access for previously excluded farmers by validating land use without formal documentation. Despite challenges such as data accuracy and institutional inertia, the decreasing costs and improving quality of satellite data signal a promising future for inclusive and resilient agricultural finance in India, potentially driving a new green revolution.
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May 17 2025, 9 ameznews.inA report by HDFC Securities has revealed robust growth in private capital expenditure (capex) in India, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.8% from FY21 to FY25E. This surge, particularly among the top 250 listed private companies, saw expenditures rise from ₹4,83,300 crore in FY21 to an anticipated ₹9,95,100 crore in FY25E, driven by sectors such as oil and gas, power, and automobiles. Notably, this growth was largely financed through strong operational cash flows, limiting the need for bank credit. In contrast, central government capex experienced a significant increase, growing from ₹4,26,300 crore in FY21 to ₹10,18,400 crore in FY25E, a CAGR of 24.3%. However, state government capex lagged, rising at a slower CAGR of 11.9% during the same period, with a notable decline of 20% year-on-year in FY25E.
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May 17 2025, 9 ameznews.inBharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has secured a contract with the Indian Army Air Defence to produce the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS), further bolstered by additional orders totaling ₹572 crore since April 7, 2025. These major contracts encompass a range of technologies, including Software Defined Radio (SDR), Data Communication Units (DCU) for attack guns, AI solutions for naval applications, and various communication equipment. Notably, BEL's integrated drone detection system played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, successfully neutralizing several low-RCS drones from Pakistan. For the financial year 2024-25, BEL reported a turnover of approximately ₹23,000 crore, reflecting a 16% increase from the previous year's ₹19,820 crore, with 90% of its revenue stemming from defence projects. The company's export activities remain limited, contributing only 10% to its overall revenue.
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May 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAccording to the latest supply-demand estimates from the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA), soyabean crushing in April remained steady at 9.5 lakh tonnes, mirroring figures from the previous year. As of May 1, 2025, the country's soyabean stocks were reported at 48.35 lakh tonnes, down from 55.41 lakh tonnes a year earlier. Of this, 29.66 lakh tonnes are held by traders and farmers, while government agencies NAFED and NCCF hold 18.69 lakh tonnes. The government procured 19.96 lakh tonnes of soyabean under the price support scheme for the kharif 2024 season, but prices have remained below the minimum support price (MSP) due to weak demand. Market arrivals increased slightly to 5.5 lakh tonnes. Meanwhile, soyameal exports rose to 2.14 lakh tonnes, with Germany and France being the largest importers, despite Indian soyameal being pricier than alternatives from the US and Argentina.
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May 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIndia's coffee exports saw a significant increase in value in April, rising 48% to $202.95 million, despite a decline in volume. According to the Coffee Board, export volumes fell to 35,259 tonnes, an 11% decrease from 39,827 tonnes in April 2024. From January 1 to May 15, total shipments dropped 13% to 154,000 tonnes compared to 177,000 tonnes last year. While Arabica shipments increased, robusta exports declined, with robusta parchment shipments down to 10,796 tonnes from 12,059 tonnes. Instant coffee exports also fell slightly to 19,122 tonnes. Ramesh Rajah, President of the Coffee Exporters Association, attributed the rise in value to higher prices, noting that buyers are hesitant to purchase Indian robustas due to cost. In the financial year ending March 2025, India exported a record 389,000 tonnes of coffee, valued at $1.82 billion.
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May 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inMumbai and Ahmedabad airports have temporarily engaged Indo Thai Airport Services for ground handling duties following the revocation of security clearance for Celebi, the previous service provider. This interim arrangement will remain in place until a new long-term partner is selected, with bids expected to be invited by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) within three days. MIAL has assured that Indo Thai will operate under its direct supervision, maintaining existing service standards. Celebi, which employed over 3,000 staff in Mumbai, has had its contracts terminated, but employees will receive temporary employment letters from the new handler. Other airports are also ensuring service continuity with their current providers. MIAL's CEO, Vishnu Jha, emphasized the commitment to a smooth transition and ongoing collaboration with aviation stakeholders and government authorities to facilitate operations during this period.
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May 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn the latest market update, the SENSEX fell by 200.15 points to close at 82,330.59, while the NIFTY dropped 42.30 points, settling at 25,019.80. In commodity markets, crude oil prices rose by 69.00 to reach 5,340.00, while gold and silver saw declines, with gold down 887.00 at 92,282.00 and silver falling 926.00 to 94,989.00. In infrastructure news, Chennai airport has implemented significant airside upgrades to improve operational efficiency, effective Friday. The Airports Authority of India announced the straightening and renaming of Taxiway F to Taxiway U, alongside the establishment of a new runway holding point at Taxiway A, aimed at reducing taxi times and runway occupancy. Additionally, extended and re-oriented cargo stands 7, 8, and 9 have been introduced to enhance cargo handling capacity.
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May 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inTurkey-based Celebi Airport Services has initiated legal proceedings against the Indian government following the revocation of its security clearance, which officials cited as necessary for national security. The decision, made amid rising public discontent over Turkey's support for Pakistan in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, has raised concerns about the potential loss of 3,791 jobs and investor confidence. In its court filing, Celebi criticized the government's vague justification for the revocation, arguing that it lacked specific reasoning and failed to substantiate claims of being a national security threat. The Delhi Airport has since announced the termination of its association with Celebi for ground handling and cargo operations. The case is set to be heard on Monday, as the Indian government faces pressure from political allies and public sentiment to take a firmer stance against Turkish entities.
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May 16 2025, 9 pm
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