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India's tea exporters are poised to benefit from zero-duty access to the US market under a new interim trade agreement, which could enhance their competitive edge over China. Currently, the US accounts for 5-7% of India's tea exports by volume and 8% by value, primarily in iced and ready-to-drink tea segments. The previous imposition of a 50% tariff had led to order cancellations and forced exporters to offer discounts, significantly impacting shipments. Indian Tea Exporters Association Chairman Anshuman Kanoria noted that the market potential is around 18-20 million kilograms, a figure that could be regained with the new duty advantage. Industry leaders, including Dipak Shah of the South India Tea Exporters Association, expressed optimism that the zero tariffs would help recover lost ground and strengthen long-term partnerships. The agreement is seen as a crucial step for the Indian plantation sector, potentially boosting incomes across the value chain. 
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndiGo is set to fully re-implement the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms starting February 10, which includes stricter regulations on night operations, such as limiting night landings to four and defining night duty hours from midnight to 6 am. Despite industry concerns about potential disruptions, government officials have assured that the aviation regulator is closely monitoring IndiGo's operational readiness, with measures in place to ensure a smooth transition. The airline plans to hire around 50 pilots monthly and has updated its rostering software to align with the new requirements. To maintain schedule reliability, IndiGo has capped its domestic operations at approximately 1,850 flights per day until March 31. Following previous disruptions that led to over 2,500 flight cancellations in December 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) continues to oversee the airline's compliance and operational stability.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's recent decision to permit imports of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as part of the India-US trade deal is expected to influence the prices of key agricultural commodities, including maize, soybean, and rapeseed meal. DDGS, a by-product of ethanol production from maize and rice, serves as a near substitute for soybean meal, a staple in poultry feed. While the market is currently oversupplied with corn-based DDGS, experts suggest that imports should be limited to 1-2 lakh tonnes to avoid significant price impacts. Following the announcement, prices for soybean and rapeseed have already begun to decline, with soybean prices dropping to ₹5,488 per quintal. Despite the potential for lower prices, traders believe that the current market conditions will not threaten Indian soymeal or domestically-produced DDGS, as the latter has limited use in dairy feed formulations.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe India International Coffee Festival (IICF) 2026 is set to take place in Bengaluru from February 12, bringing together the entire Indian coffee ecosystem, including growers, processors, exporters, and consumers. Organised by the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI) with support from the Coffee Board of India and Nestle India, the three-day event is expected to attract around 100 enterprises and over 20,000 visitors. The festival will focus on collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation, reflecting a shift in the Indian coffee sector towards quality-led growth. Hamsini Appadurai, President of SCAI, noted that the festival will feature curated tastings, workshops, and cupping sessions, aimed at enhancing appreciation for quality and traceability. Kurma Rao M, CEO of the Coffee Board, emphasized the importance of such platforms in connecting producers with markets and supporting the long-term growth of both domestic consumption and exports.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has accepted a ₹9,500 crore offer from Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (InvIT) for the monetisation of five national highway sections, covering over 260 kilometres across four states. Established to tap into the monetisation potential of national highway assets, Raajmarg InvIT aims to attract retail and domestic investors. The assets include key highway segments such as the 80.52-kilometre Gorhar–Barwa Adda in Jharkhand and the 69.4-kilometre Chilakaluripet–Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav highlighted that this initiative will offer retail investors stable returns while fostering a sense of ownership in national infrastructure development. This move aligns with the Centre’s National Monetisation Pipeline, which seeks to enhance private sector involvement in infrastructure management. Additionally, NHAI plans to offer around 1,500 kilometres of further assets to Raajmarg InvIT in the coming three to five years.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inGodrej Agrovet Ltd has introduced a new insecticide, TAKAI, designed to combat pests such as the stem borer and leaf folder, which pose significant threats to paddy crops. The company is also seeking approval to extend its use to other crops, including maize, chilli, cabbage, soyabean, chickpea, and sugarcane. According to a company statement, stem borer infestations can lead to yield losses of 30-40% during severe outbreaks, while leaf folder attacks can result in 20-30% losses, particularly during the early and mid-growth stages when detection is difficult. Sunil Kataria, Managing Director and CEO of Godrej Agrovet, emphasized the importance of effective pest management for Indian rice farmers, stating that TAKAI aims to provide a reliable solution for quick and long-lasting pest control, thereby safeguarding crop yields.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers’ Association (IMMA) held the National Crop Nutrition Summit, advocating for a "One Nation, One License" initiative to streamline agricultural licensing through a centralised data system accessible by state governments. IMMA President Rahul Mirchandani emphasized that this approach would eliminate regulatory hurdles and enhance business operations for agri-input manufacturers. The summit also saw a partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to foster innovation in crop nutrition. Agriculture Commissioner PK Singh highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition and integrated nutrient management for sustainable agricultural growth. Maharashtra Minister Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal underscored the role of the micro-fertilizer industry in boosting India's food production. The event recognized outstanding farmers for their crop-specific innovations and featured the 'IMMA Pitch Party,' showcasing 16 new agri-input products aimed at enhancing market access and collaboration within the industry.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has emphasized the significant opportunities presented by the newly established India-US Interim Trade Framework, which aims to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion over five years. In an interview, Goyal highlighted the competitive advantage Indian exports will gain from reduced US tariffs on labor-intensive sectors, which are set to decrease from 25% to 18%. He reassured that sensitive agricultural sectors remain protected, despite some market access for American dried distillers' grains and soybean oil. Goyal also addressed concerns regarding potential reinstatement of tariffs if India imports Russian oil, stating that trade agreements allow for rebalancing concessions. He expressed optimism about India's growing demand for energy and technology, projecting substantial imports from the US, particularly in aviation and tech sectors, as part of a strategy to diversify sources and enhance quality and pricing.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIn the 2024-25 fiscal year, India imported 34,303 tonnes of fresh apples from the United States, valued at $33.69 million, a significant increase from 20,541 tonnes worth $21.33 million in 2023-24. The Indian government is expected to set a maximum import volume of 100,000 tonnes per year at a concessional duty of 25%, which may impact imports from countries like Iran and Egypt while maintaining overall apple imports at 550,000 tonnes. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the interests of domestic apple growers are protected through a minimum import price (MIP) of ₹80/kg. However, concerns have been raised by apple growers in Kashmir, who argue that lower tariffs threaten their livelihoods, as the region's apple industry supports over 700,000 families. They have urged Prime Minister Modi to impose higher tariffs on imported apples to safeguard local production.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a special audit of non-scheduled operators following the tragic crash of a Learjet 45 near Baramati Airport in Pune on January 28, which claimed the lives of six individuals, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The audit, set to unfold in two phases, will assess the operational and safety standards of 14 operators, including charter companies and corporate fleets. Teams comprising experts from air safety, airworthiness, and flight operations will submit their findings within ten days of completing their inspections. Concurrently, the DGCA is developing guidelines for uncontrolled airfields, like Baramati, which lack regular air traffic control and oversight. Concerns have been raised regarding questionable maintenance practices among some operators, including understating flight hours to circumvent maintenance requirements, prompting increased scrutiny of charter operations in India.
Published: Feb 09 2026, 7 pm
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