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India and the United States engaged in discussions this week regarding a proposed bilateral trade agreement, aiming for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial deal, according to a statement from the Commerce Department. Led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, a trade delegation visited the US from September 22-24, where they met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor. The talks, which also included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focused on trade, tariffs, and other related issues. Despite constructive discussions, challenges remain, particularly the US's 50% import duties on India, including a 25% penalty on Russian oil purchases, which Washington is reluctant to address until the oil issue is resolved. Nonetheless, the delegation received positive feedback from US businesses eager to invest in India, reflecting confidence in the country's growth potential. 
Published: Sep 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKalyani Shinde, founder of Godaam Innovations, has been awarded the Young Changemaker Award for her groundbreaking work in agricultural technology. Her company has developed India’s first IoT-based onion storage solution, which monitors the microclimate of warehouses to prevent spoilage by tracking temperature, humidity, and gas emissions. Shinde, who hails from Lasalgaon—home to Asia’s largest onion market—aims to reduce post-harvest losses that plague farmers, stating, “Farmers’ children must feel that farming is possible and profitable.” Her technology provides real-time alerts in local languages, empowering farmers to make informed decisions and fostering trust in storage infrastructure. As Godaam Innovations expands beyond Maharashtra, Shinde envisions a future where farming is a respected and viable career choice for the next generation. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing farmers' contributions, highlighting the significant role onions play in both agriculture and the economy.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKalpana Kumari, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), received the Financial Transformation Award for her leadership in promoting Araku Valley Coffee, a distinctive Arabica variant from the Eastern Ghats. Speaking at the award ceremony, Kumari highlighted the collective efforts of GCC employees and local farmers, noting that the recognition underscores their hard work. She expressed pride in the global acknowledgment of their coffee, which has even been mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is sold in Parliament. The GCC, established in 1956 to support Adivasi farmers, is relaunching over 80 products, including coffee, turmeric, and honey, with new branding strategies. Kumari emphasized the importance of setting a minimum support price for farmers and the transformative impact of distributing coffee estates to Adivasi farmers in the 1980s, which has encouraged sustainable agricultural practices.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's external sector has demonstrated resilience despite facing trade and tariff challenges, according to a Finance Ministry report released on Friday. The report highlights that a reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates is expected to alleviate tariff impacts and lower retail inflation, which stood at 2.07% in August, well below the target median of 4%. Strong service exports and remittances have helped offset the merchandise trade deficit, while foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows continue to rise, reinforcing India's attractiveness as an investment hub. However, the report warns of potential disruptions from the recent U.S. imposition of a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, which could affect future remittances and service trade surpluses. It emphasizes the need for vigilant monitoring of tariff uncertainties and calls for strategic investments in agriculture and water management to bolster growth. Overall, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with manageable risks ahead.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inLast week, US President Donald Trump announced a significant increase in fees for new H-1B visa petitions, imposing a one-time charge of $100,000, a sharp rise from the previous cost of $2,000 to $5,000. This move is expected to disproportionately impact India, which accounts for over 70% of H-1B visa holders. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is actively engaging with the US administration to discuss the implications of this fee and emphasize the importance of skilled talent mobility in fostering innovation and economic growth in both nations. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the situation is evolving, with the US Department of Homeland Security inviting stakeholder comments on the proposed changes. Additionally, Jaiswal addressed concerns regarding the Trump administration's proposal for 100% tariffs on certain Indian imports, stating that the Indian government is closely examining the potential impacts.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inBudget airline SpiceJet is set to enhance its fleet with the addition of a wide-body Airbus A340, following a lease agreement pending regulatory approvals. The aircraft is expected to arrive in India by the end of September and commence operations in early October. SpiceJet's Chief Business Officer, Debojo Maharshi, highlighted that the A340 will enable the airline to explore new markets and expand its international reach, particularly on routes with high passenger demand. The airline is also negotiating for another A340 and has secured leases for 18 Boeing 737 aircraft, marking a significant growth phase. The A340 will initially operate under a wet lease model, transitioning to a damp lease for improved flexibility and cost efficiency. SpiceJet aims to bolster its capacity in anticipation of future demand, as it plans to reactivate grounded aircraft following necessary maintenance. Currently, only over 20 of SpiceJet's 53 aircraft are operational.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the implementation of the Bhavantar Yojana for soybean farmers, aimed at compensating them for any losses incurred when market prices fall below the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹5,328 per quintal for the 2025-26 season. Despite the MSP, farmers sold soybeans at an average of ₹4,121 per quintal in September, with mandi prices dropping to ₹3,837. While Yadav emphasized the government's commitment to fair pricing, former Agricultural Advisory Council member Kedar Sirohi criticized the scheme, recalling negative experiences from 2017 when farmers faced significant price drops and delays in compensation. Sirohi argued that the calculation of the "differential" price is flawed and suggested that farmers should have the option to sell directly at MSP instead of relying on the Bhavantar Yojana. He called for better transparency and farmer feedback before the scheme's implementation.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inHarshil Agrotech has secured a significant purchase order worth ₹113 crore from Heera Merchants for the supply of various agricultural products, including wheat, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, green chillies, and a brinjal/capsicum mix. The delivery is set to begin in 45 days, with payments structured as 30% in advance and 70% upon delivery and inspection. Pankaj Patel, Managing Director of Harshil Agrotech, emphasized that this order aligns with the company's core operations in agricultural trading and processing, which is expected to enhance near-term revenues. Additionally, the company is exploring expansion into spices processing and export to diversify its offerings and tap into new markets. Harshil Agrotech also promotes organic farming practices, aiming to reduce environmental impacts while providing consumers with healthier products and improving farmers' profitability through access to premium markets.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe US Department of Agriculture has approved the cultivation of the HB4 wheat variety, developed by Argentine firm Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp in collaboration with the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. This genetically modified wheat is engineered for drought tolerance, incorporating a sunflower gene and a Streptomyces hygroscopicus gene for herbicide resistance. While the approval was granted in August 2024, analysts predict it will take 3-4 years before US farmers adopt the new variety. Bioceres aims to enhance productivity and supply stability through this partnership, which will allow the Colorado foundation exclusive sublicensable rights to the HB4 trait in the US. The collaboration will also focus on developing new herbicide formulations tailored for HB4 wheat. Bioceres will lead regulatory activities and ensure compliance with US biotechnology principles, while also seeking approvals in key export markets. The GM wheat trait will be accessible to various breeding programs through an open licensing model.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has announced a reduction in its borrowing for the fiscal year 2025-26 by ₹10,000 crore, reaffirming its commitment to a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP as outlined in the budget. Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur stated that total gross borrowing for the year will now be ₹14.72 lakh crore, slightly below initial estimates, following consultations with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and market feedback. The government plans to borrow ₹6.77 lakh crore in the second half of FY26, including ₹10,000 crore through sovereign green bonds, with borrowing completed via 22 weekly auctions until March 2026. Additionally, the share of ultra-long bonds has been reduced, while the issuance of five-year and ten-year bonds will increase. Traders anticipate potential selling pressure on shorter-duration bonds, particularly the 10-year bond, which has seen its auction size raised to ₹32,000 crore amid concerns over high bond yields.
Published: Sep 26 2025, 7 pm
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