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Sagar Hanuman Singh, Director-General of the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), emphasized the inseparable link between plant health and human health, advocating for a national soil health framework akin to those in Europe and the US. Speaking at the BioAgri 2025 conference, he highlighted the detrimental effects of chemical agriculture on soil and called for urgent policies and rejuvenation programs to ensure India's agricultural produce, particularly Telangana's chillies, remains residue-free for export. V Praveen Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Kaveri University, stressed the importance of collaboration between public institutions and the biological industry for agricultural transition. John Peter, President of the BioAgri Input Producers Association (BIPA), noted the historical roots of biological agriculture in India and the need to reclaim this heritage. The conference, themed “Nurturing Nature, Nourishing the Future,” gathered over 200 delegates to discuss innovations and trends in sustainable agriculture. 
Published: Dec 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (CCPC) has projected a decline in cotton production for the 2025-2026 season, estimating output at 292.15 lakh bales, down from 297.24 lakh bales last season. This estimate aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture's initial forecast. The CCPC also anticipates a reduction in imports, estimating them at 40 lakh bales compared to 41.4 lakh bales last year, contrasting with the Cotton Association of India's prediction of a record 50 lakh bales. Overall supply is expected to decrease to 377.65 lakh bales, with ending stocks projected at 40.65 lakh bales. Additionally, the CCPC has lowered export estimates to 15 lakh bales and slightly reduced mills' consumption to 213 lakh bales. The first meeting of the season was conducted via video conference, chaired by the Textile Commissioner, as noted by K Venkatachalam, chief advisor of the Tamilnadu Spinning Mills Association.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUS Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has praised India's offers in ongoing bilateral trade negotiations, describing them as the "best offers Washington has received." However, he noted some resistance from India regarding row crops, such as corn and soybeans, as well as meat and dairy products that conflict with India's cultural and religious values. Greer acknowledged this stance during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, emphasizing the importance of diversifying trade partners beyond China. A US delegation, including Deputy USTR Rick Switzer, is currently in New Delhi for discussions with Indian officials, focusing on reducing US tariffs on Indian imports, which currently stand at 50%. India seeks to lower these tariffs to levels below those imposed on competing nations like Vietnam and Indonesia to make a trade deal feasible. The proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement, initially set for completion by fall 2025, has now been divided into two phases.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inContractors in India are increasingly hesitant to engage in or expedite road projects, primarily due to delays in government payments. Despite visible construction activity in major cities, including metro rail and utility repairs, actual road construction volumes have declined over the past year, with industry leaders reporting a 10-12% drop in activity. Factors contributing to this slowdown include stringent land acquisition requirements and distractions from election cycles, which have hampered decision-making and fund disbursement. While traditional road-building is experiencing a downturn, there is a notable shift towards smarter mobility projects, such as tunnel roads and high-speed rail corridors, aimed at enhancing connectivity. Executives believe that once payment issues are resolved and investments resume, demand will rebound. They emphasize that India’s infrastructure pipeline remains robust, transitioning from merely expanding road networks to developing more efficient, technology-driven transport systems.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is set to launch a pilot project linking subsidised fertiliser sales to land holdings, as announced by Fertiliser Minister J P Nadda in Parliament. This initiative aims to curb the diversion of fertiliser for non-agricultural use, with Fertiliser Secretary Rajat Mishra indicating that several precise interventions will be implemented by March. Despite previous discussions, the plan has yet to materialise, partly due to concerns over farmer reactions. Nadda noted that while farmers can purchase unlimited fertiliser, recent shortages led to a cap on monthly purchases. The government has also cancelled over 5,000 fertiliser firm licences in the past seven months. Additionally, the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) is advocating for a revision of fixed costs for gas-based urea manufacturers, which have remained unchanged for 25 years, and is calling for policy reforms to enhance sector viability and attract investments.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a strategic move to secure long-term access to essential crop nutrients, Iffco, India's largest fertilizer producer, has announced plans to establish joint ventures in fertilizer-supplying nations, including Sri Lanka and Senegal. This initiative follows a recent memorandum of understanding between India and Russia to develop a 2 million tonnes capacity urea plant. Iffco's Managing Director, KJ Patel, highlighted the growing challenges in sourcing quality raw materials like rock phosphate and gas, which are increasingly costly. The company aims to leverage Sri Lanka's high-quality rock phosphate for phosphoric acid production, while also expanding its existing joint venture in Jordan. In Senegal, Iffco is exploring options to enhance its stake in a local urea plant. With India's annual demand for DAP fertilizer at 10-11 million tonnes, the rising costs of imported phosphoric acid and rock phosphate underscore the urgency of these ventures.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in Lok Sabha that the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) to double approximately 263 km of railway sections, aimed at enhancing capacity along the route. In response to MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary's inquiry, Vaishnaw noted that a 55-km stretch has already been completed. The Konkan Railway spans 739 km from Roha in Maharashtra to Thokur in Mangaluru, traversing the challenging Western Ghats. To address the capacity needs of the remaining 685 km, significant investment is required, with contributions from the five shareholder states: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala, alongside the Ministry of Railways. The Minister emphasized that project approvals hinge on various factors, including traffic projections, route profitability, connectivity, and funding availability.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 6 pmeznews.inSilver prices surged to $62 per ounce on Wednesday, driven by a significant physical shortage of the metal, which experts believe is more severe than commonly perceived. The silver-crude oil ratio has reached its second-highest level ever, indicating a critical supply issue, as highlighted by the Silver Academy. They noted that the current ratio suggests an insufficient amount of silver relative to global energy and industrial demands. Spot silver was quoted at $61.05 an ounce, with futures for March delivery at $61.90. The Silver Institute attributes the metal's rise—over 110% since January—to tightening supply and robust demand from sectors like solar energy and electric vehicles. Analysts predict silver could exceed $100 per ounce by March 2026, as mining capital expenditure hits a decade low and Eastern buyers increasingly acquire physical silver. With a cumulative shortfall of 820 million ounces expected by year-end, the market anticipates further price increases.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 6 pmeznews.inUber has officially entered the B2B logistics sector with the launch of Uber Direct, leveraging the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Unlike its Uber Courier service, which allows direct customer bookings, Uber Direct operates behind the scenes, enabling businesses to place orders through their own platforms while Uber handles the delivery logistics. The service commenced in Bengaluru, fulfilling grocery deliveries for brands like Zepto and KPN Farm Fresh, with plans to expand into food delivery for major chains such as KFC and Burger King in the coming weeks. Additionally, Uber has introduced metro ticketing on its app for Bengaluru commuters, allowing users to purchase QR-based tickets and access real-time metro information, with UPI as the exclusive payment method. Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia, emphasized Bengaluru's role as a hub for innovation in this strategic expansion.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to address the recent mass flight cancellations that have caused significant passenger inconvenience. Elbers is required to present a comprehensive report on operational disruptions and appear before the DGCA on December 11, 2025. The regulator has also initiated immediate on-site inspections at various airports to evaluate safety measures and the airline's responsiveness during the crisis. IndiGo must provide detailed information on flight restoration efforts, passenger re-accommodation, and its recruitment plans for pilots and cabin crew. The DGCA is also seeking data on cancellation refunds, delayed baggage cases, and the airline's rerouting policies. IndiGo has acknowledged the complexity of its operations and requested additional time for a thorough root cause analysis, while confirming that all refunds for affected flights up to December 6 have been processed.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 4 pm
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