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A 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.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.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 pmeznews.inBrazil is facing climate change challenges similar to those in India, according to Navneet Ravikar, CMD of Leads Connect, an agritech firm. On Thursday, the company launched its AI-enabled Integrated Command Centre for Risk Intelligence (ICCRI) and the Kedar–Parvati platform, designed for large-scale risk management in agriculture. These initiatives align with India's growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, coinciding with the ongoing India AI Impact Summit. The Kedar–Parvati platform integrates satellite intelligence and financial risk modeling to support farmers and institutions. Brazilian Minister of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeira, attended the launch, expressing a commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in agricultural technology and climate-resilient practices. Ravikar noted that the solutions developed are well-suited for Brazil's agricultural ecosystem, highlighting the potential for deploying these innovations to address shared climate challenges.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIn a significant development for India's rail transport, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has unveiled the country's first 15-car Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rake, designed specifically for the Mumbai suburban network. This new rake, which can accommodate up to 7,555 passengers, aims to alleviate congestion during peak travel hours. Currently, the maximum number of cars in a rake operating in India is 12, making this innovation a notable advancement in commuter rail capacity. ICF plans to manufacture a total of 12 such rakes in the coming months, enhancing the efficiency and comfort of suburban rail services in Mumbai. The announcement was made on February 19, 2026, highlighting the ongoing efforts to modernize India's railway infrastructure.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inStorage levels in India’s 166 major reservoirs have fallen to 61.65% of capacity, with all five regions reporting levels below 75% this week, according to the Central Water Commission (CWC). Current storage stands at 113.160 billion cubic metres (BCM), significantly higher than last year but 25 percentage points above the 10-year average. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a 56% deficiency in rainfall since the start of the year, with central India experiencing an 85% shortfall. While four reservoirs remain full, only 20% of reservoirs exceed 80% capacity, and over 22% are below 50%. In the southern region, storage is at 53.12%, with Andhra Pradesh at 66.5% and Tamil Nadu at 59%. The northern region's reservoirs are at 57%, while eastern reservoirs average 59%. A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal may improve conditions in South India, but overall storage is expected to decline as summer approaches.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Dr Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) have formalized a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing agricultural vocational training and farmer extension services across India. The agreement, signed at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, seeks to build capacity in modern farming practices through strategic coordination led by Anil Kumar, Assistant Director General (Coordination) at ICAR. An ICAR official emphasized that the collaboration will integrate quality skill development in agriculture, leveraging ICAR’s research capabilities alongside DRF’s community engagement model to improve rural livelihoods and promote agricultural sustainability. Suman S., Director of Rural Livelihoods at DRF, noted that this partnership will enable the foundation to expand its impact while ensuring alignment with national agricultural frameworks. The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the advancement of the agricultural sector in India.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 8 pm
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