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Jammu and Kashmir, which produces over 90% of India's almonds, is witnessing a significant decline in almond cultivation as farmers increasingly replace orchards with apple plantations and construction projects. Official data reveals that the area dedicated to almond orchards plummeted from 16,374 hectares in 2006-07 to just 4,177 hectares by 2019-20, with production nearly halving from 15,183 tonnes to 9,898 tonnes. Farmers like Abdul Majeed express frustration over the diminishing returns, with prices for hard-shell almonds rising from ₹40 per kg in 1990 to ₹130-150 today. The lack of market access, processing facilities, and branding has further discouraged growers. Experts warn that without government intervention and improved infrastructure, the decline of this traditional crop could become irreversible, jeopardizing the region's agricultural heritage and economic stability. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn India, gold prices in the Mumbai spot market reached ₹1,24,155 per 10 grams, while silver faced a significant global supply shortage, prompting major mints like the Canadian Royal Mint and Australia’s Perth Mint to halt sales. Silver prices soared to a record high of $53 an ounce before settling at $51.63, marking a 75% increase this year, outpacing gold's 55% rise. The supply squeeze has led to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) charging premiums of around 10%, resulting in major mutual funds suspending subscriptions until the situation stabilizes. Analysts attribute the ongoing structural deficit in silver supply to increased demand and geopolitical risks, with silver holdings in London vaults dropping over 30% since April 2020. The current market dynamics suggest a critical supply crisis, with silver being re-evaluated as a vital industrial and monetary metal.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent report by policy advisory firm VeK highlights the volatility in India's edible oil sector, noting that the government has altered import tariffs over 25 times in the past decade. The report advocates for a "Tariff Policy Plan" with a 3-5 year framework and advance notice for duty changes to stabilize domestic prices. However, officials argue that such measures may not effectively manage supply fluctuations. The report emphasizes that temporary tariff cuts provide only short-term relief and calls for complementary strategies, including public buffer stocks and targeted consumer subsidies. VeK's Executive Chairman, T S Vishwanath, stressed the need for better government-industry collaboration and diversification of sourcing beyond Indonesia and Malaysia, which dominate palm oil production. Former SEA President Atul Chaturvedi urged investment in the National Edible Oil Mission, focusing on mustard and groundnut to boost domestic production. Frequent tariff changes are said to distort market expectations and hinder investment confidence.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA government committee has highlighted significant challenges in meeting India's ambitious goal of establishing 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, primarily due to a projected shortfall in skilled manpower. By 2047, approximately 61,000 personnel will be needed to operate nuclear power plants, with peak construction demands reaching 120,000 in 2041. Currently, training institutions under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) can only train a fraction of the required workforce, producing 100 design and 1,200 operational personnel annually. The committee emphasized the need for enhanced training capabilities, recommending that DAE institutions expand their capacity to accommodate private sector trainees. It also suggested that NTPC establish its own training facility in collaboration with DAE to address future workforce demands. The report underscores the necessity for a well-prepared workforce in engineering and nuclear science to support the nuclear sector's growth and sustainability.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inEssar Group is spearheading a green mobility strategy aimed at creating a low-emission ecosystem across India's freight value chain, according to B C Tripathi, Advisor at Essar. The initiative encompasses manufacturing clean energy-powered trucks and establishing a clean fuel retail network, with a focus on decarbonising heavy-duty freight while ensuring operational efficiency. Essar's integrated approach includes operating India's largest LNG trucking fleet through GreenLine Mobility and developing electric trucks via Blue Energy Motors, supported by advanced infrastructure for battery swapping and fast-charging. With a $275-million investment plan to expand its fleet to 10,000 vehicles, Essar is also building a nationwide network of 100 LNG refuelling stations, significantly reducing diesel reliance. As heavy-duty freight contributes to 15% of India's carbon emissions, Essar's model highlights the importance of comprehensive infrastructure and supportive policies to achieve sustainable transport solutions and meet the country's net-zero ambitions.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inLogistics firm Airbound has secured $8.65 million in a seed funding round led by Lachy Groom, with participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed, and senior leaders from Tesla, Anduril, and Ather Energy. The funding aims to significantly reduce delivery costs, making geographic distance less of a barrier to accessing goods and services. In a strategic move, Airbound has partnered with healthcare provider Narayana Health to launch a three-month pilot project, targeting 10 medical deliveries daily, including blood samples and essential supplies. Founder and CEO Naman Pushp expressed gratitude to investors for their support, emphasizing the healthcare sector as an ideal testing ground for their technology due to its need for reliability and efficiency. The initiative reflects Airbound's commitment to revolutionizing logistics and enhancing service accessibility. This announcement was published on October 14, 2025.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia has reaffirmed its leadership in the global spice sector as the 8th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) commenced in Guwahati, organized by the Spices Board. The event has attracted 81 delegates from 27 countries to discuss the establishment of harmonized international standards for spices and culinary herbs. Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), highlighted the global spice industry's projected growth from $28.5 billion in 2024 to $41.9 billion by 2033, emphasizing the importance of science-based food standards for consumer safety and equitable trade. P. Hemalatha, Secretary of the Spices Board, noted that Codex standards are vital for fairness and safety in global food trade, promoting transparency and sustainability. The session will also address new standards for spices such as large cardamom and cinnamon, building on the 16 standards already finalized since the committee's establishment in 2013.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India's growth forecast for FY 2025-26 upwards to 6.6%, citing robust growth in the April-June quarter, although it lowered the FY 2026-27 projection to 6.2% due to the impact of increased US tariffs. This adjustment reflects a cumulative 0.2 percentage point decrease compared to pre-tariff forecasts. The IMF's estimate surpasses the World Bank's recent forecast of 6.5% for FY 2026, which also noted a reduction for FY 2027 to 6.3% due to tariff impacts. The World Bank highlighted improved domestic conditions, particularly in agriculture and rural wages, bolstered by GST reforms. The IMF's outlook is more optimistic than estimates from S&P and ADB but lower than those from Fitch, RBI, and OECD. Globally, the IMF projects growth at 3.2% for this year, attributing resilience in emerging markets to favorable financial conditions and effective policy frameworks.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inHyFarm, the agricultural arm of HyFun Foods, has initiated a "Soil Stewardship Drive" in North Gujarat to address declining soil health affecting potato yields. This decision follows the analysis of over 500 soil samples, revealing pH levels exceeding the optimal range, which hampers nutrient availability. Farmers have reported variations in potato quality and increased rejections at processing units. CEO S Soundararadjane emphasized the importance of understanding soil needs to enhance crop outcomes. The drive promotes regular soil testing, combining laboratory analysis with practical demonstrations. Experts attribute soil degradation to practices like monocropping and excessive chemical use, leading to reduced organic carbon levels. Farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices, such as crop rotation and using organic fertilizers, to restore soil balance. Global potato expert Engel Louwes noted a shift towards informed farming, highlighting the potential for recovery through HyFarm's commitment to soil health.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal convened a review meeting in preparation for the upcoming Indian Maritime Week 2025, set to take place in Mumbai later this month. The event is expected to announce memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth ₹10 lakh crore, aimed at showcasing India's maritime ambitions and attracting investment through recent reforms and fiscal packages. Secretary Vijay Kumar highlighted that these agreements will cover various sectors, including shipbuilding and port modernization, with participation from over 100 countries and attendance from key figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Reflecting on the previous year's event, Kumar noted a high success rate in activating 60% of the MOUs signed in 2023. Sonowal emphasized the alignment of India's maritime sector with the vision of Viksit Bharat, targeting significant investments and infrastructure improvements by 2027.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 6 pm
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