eznews.inIndia's rural economy is poised for transformation with the rise of multi-waste biogas plants, part of the SATAT program, which offers farmers a sustainable income by allowing them to sell crop residues, animal dung, and agro-waste. This initiative not only provides a steady revenue stream, reducing farmers' reliance on volatile crop prices, but also creates rural employment opportunities and promotes environmental sustainability by curbing crop-residue burning. Additionally, biogas plants produce digestate, a high-quality organic fertilizer that enhances soil fertility, offering farmers a cost-effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. The expansion of these plants fosters local job creation and entrepreneurship, helping to alleviate rural unemployment and curb urban migration. By converting waste into valuable resources, biogas plants embody the principles of a circular economy, driving local economic growth while supporting cleaner agricultural practices and a more resilient environment. 
Published: Sep 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inA recent PwC report highlights that 63% of Indian consumers are increasingly worried about rising food prices, prompting significant changes in their shopping habits. In response to inflation, 44% of respondents are buying in bulk or growing their own food, while nearly half are exploring different stores and discount outlets to manage their budgets. The report indicates that the recent revision in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates may provide some relief, making household expenses more manageable and potentially boosting consumption sentiment. Additionally, 74% of consumers maintain that their food choices are influenced by cultural heritage, suggesting a market opportunity for brands offering traditional foods. The survey also revealed that 32% of consumers feel they are financially coping, while 7% report financial insecurity. Experts recommend that brands enhance promotional strategies and loyalty programs to adapt to the evolving consumer landscape amid fluctuating prices. 
Published: Sep 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia's National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) aims to enhance edible oil security through a comprehensive framework, yet faces significant challenges in execution. Current agronomic practices have led to a substantial yield gap in oil palm plantations, with potential yields exceeding 20 tonnes per hectare, while actual yields average below 9 tonnes. This discrepancy is attributed to poor nursery management, inadequate irrigation, and insufficient disease control. The government targets expanding oil palm cultivation from 350,000 hectares in 2019-20 to 1 million hectares by 2025-26, but progress remains slow, particularly in survival rates and yields. To address these issues, experts recommend establishing a National Steering Board, improving cluster planning, and ensuring quality support from private companies. A recalibration of the NMEO-OP is essential, focusing on sustainable practices and joint accountability among stakeholders to achieve meaningful results and reduce import dependence while protecting livelihoods and ecosystems. 
Published: Sep 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inClimate change has transformed from a distant concern to an immediate crisis in India, with 2024 projected to see over 650 climate-related disasters, resulting in more than 3,000 fatalities and economic losses exceeding ₹60,000 crore. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for climate risk insurance, which is becoming essential for safeguarding livelihoods and assets. Key insurance products include Multi-Peril Crop Insurance, which protects farmers from various climate shocks, and parametric insurance, offering quick payouts based on predetermined weather conditions. Livelihood protection insurance aids daily wage workers during climatic disruptions, while property and infrastructure insurance must adapt to increasing urban climate risks. Additionally, climate asset insurance supports investments in resilient technologies, and business interruption insurance mitigates losses from adverse weather. As India's economy remains highly climate-sensitive, regulators are pushing for the integration of climate risk in insurance underwriting to foster resilience against future disasters. 
Published: Sep 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, engaged with key American lawmakers to discuss bilateral trade relations and India's stance on the Ukraine conflict. In a series of meetings, including with Representative James Moylan and Congressman Greg Steube, Kwatra highlighted recent developments in the India-US trade partnership, particularly in energy cooperation, and reiterated India's commitment to resolving the Ukraine crisis through dialogue. He also met with Representative Young Kim, Chairperson of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, to address shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific and clarify India's relationship with China. These discussions come amid tensions in India-US relations, exacerbated by former President Trump's imposition of tariffs on India, including a 25% levy on Russian oil imports. India defends its energy purchases from Russia as essential for national interests, despite criticism that they support the Russian war effort in Ukraine. 
Published: Sep 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inGujarat, responsible for over 50% of India's groundnut production, is set to achieve a record-high yield of 66 lakh tonnes this year, a 26% increase from last year's 52.20 lakh tonnes, according to state government estimates. During the current Kharif season, groundnut has been sown across 22 lakh hectares, marking a 15% rise from the previous year. However, concerns loom as heavy rains have flooded parts of North Gujarat, impacting farmers in districts like Banaskantha, Patan, and Kutch, where significant crop losses have been reported. Sagar Rabari, head of Khedut Samaj, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the anticipated bumper harvest due to these adverse conditions. The state government, which previously purchased 12.22 lakh tonnes of groundnut at a cost of ₹8,295 crore from 3.67 lakh farmers, plans to continue similar purchases this year, extending the registration deadline for farmers to sell their Kharif crops on Minimum Support Price (MSP) until September 22. 
Published: Sep 13 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn New Delhi on September 12, Union Minister Piyush Goyal met with European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to advance discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the EU. Goyal emphasized the commitment of both parties to establish a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement, which he believes will unlock significant opportunities for both sides. The meeting coincided with the 13th round of negotiations, attended by EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen, aimed at revitalizing the ongoing talks. Goyal expressed gratitude for the visit and reiterated the importance of continued dialogue to achieve a successful FTA. The discussions reflect a shared ambition to enhance trade relations and economic cooperation between India and the European Union. 
Published: Sep 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's retail inflation saw a modest increase in August 2025, rising to 2.07% year-on-year from 1.61% in July, according to official data. Despite this uptick, economists believe the rise is temporary and will not disrupt overall price stability, aided by recent GST reforms. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained its benchmark repo rate at 6.5% for the eleventh consecutive time, with inflation forecasts for 2025-26 revised down from 4% to 3.7%. Analysts from S&P Global and CareEdge expect inflation to remain controlled, with food prices stabilizing due to healthy agricultural conditions. The PHD Chamber of Commerce anticipates further declines in CPI inflation, attributing this to the GST reforms, which are expected to lower production costs and stimulate consumption. The next CPI inflation data will be released on October 13, 2025. 
Published: Sep 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three officers from the Military Engineer Services (MES) in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly accepting an ₹80,000 bribe from a contractor. The officers, identified as Garrison Engineer Nitesh Kumar Singh, Assistant Garrison Engineer Rakesh Sahu, and Junior Engineer Deepak, along with middleman Rajesh Mishra, were caught red-handed after the contractor filed a complaint. Initially, the officers demanded ₹1 lakh, or 2% of the contract value, for site access related to government repair and maintenance work, but this was negotiated down to ₹80,000. This incident is part of a broader investigation initiated in July 2023, which uncovered five cases against MES officials in Jabalpur for awarding 59 non-viable contracts, allegedly resulting in a ₹16.24 crore loss to the government. Searches in multiple cities have yielded further evidence of corruption. 
Published: Sep 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn its latest report, Crisil has revised its projection for headline inflation in India for the financial year 2025-26 to 3.2%, down from a previous estimate of 3.5%. This moderation, reflecting a decline of 140 basis points in Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, is expected to create room for monetary easing, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) likely to cut interest rates by an additional 25 basis points. Crisil noted that lower inflation and reduced interest rates could bolster domestic demand amid global economic challenges. However, the report also highlighted risks posed by excessive rainfall during the kharif season, particularly in regions like Punjab, which is experiencing severe flooding. CPI inflation rose to 2.1% in August 2025, surpassing the RBI's tolerance threshold of 2%, while food inflation has begun to increase but remains below overall inflation levels. 
Published: Sep 13 2025, 3 pm
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