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Tribal farmers in Koraput, Odisha, are making significant strides in horticultural exports, dispatching dry ginger, fresh ginger, and premium Kalajeera rice to various domestic markets, including Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana. This initiative, launched during a district-level animal husbandry and fishery mela, saw the transportation of 100 quintals of dry ginger to Bengaluru, 240 quintals of fresh ginger to Punjab, and 60 quintals of Kalajeera rice to Haryana. Supported by Jaivik Sri Farmers’ Producer Company Ltd and the Odisha Department of Agriculture, the project aims to enhance farmers' incomes by 30-40% through improved market access. The initiative, backed by the Gates Foundation and implemented by Palladium, highlights the importance of institutional support and collective action in transforming rural livelihoods. Deputy Director of Horticulture, Sudam Chandra Biswal, emphasized the commitment to strengthening market linkages for tribal farmers, ensuring fair prices for their quality produce. 
Published: Feb 19 2026, 5 pmeznews.inPrivate equity firm KKR has identified significant opportunities for infrastructure investments in India, driven by urbanisation, government support, and rising energy demands. In its latest report, KKR highlighted its focus on roads, renewables, logistics, and related assets, noting that despite a challenging year for Indian equities, conditions are expected to improve by 2026. The firm anticipates mid-teens earnings per share growth, bolstered by fiscal impulses and increased participation in capital markets. While investor sentiment remains cautious, particularly due to concerns over artificial intelligence's impact on the IT sector, KKR believes AI could enhance India's service capabilities. With India's nominal GDP growth projected at 10-11% and a burgeoning consumption market, the firm asserts that the country is entering a more sustainable, consumption-driven growth phase, making it an attractive destination for long-term investors despite existing risks.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Food Corporation of India (FCI) has entered into a significant agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) to supply 200,000 tonnes of rice, aimed at combating global hunger. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), effective until 2031, allows FCI to provide rice at a price of ₹2,800 per quintal, with annual revisions planned. Union food secretary Sanjeev Chopra emphasized that this partnership symbolizes India's commitment to ensuring no one faces hunger, while WFP's Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau hailed the agreement as a crucial step in delivering nutritious food to vulnerable populations. The collaboration not only reinforces India's dedication to global food security but also enhances cooperation with WFP in addressing humanitarian challenges worldwide. The current pricing is set to remain until March 31, 2026, with potential extensions beyond the initial five-year term by mutual consent.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 7 pmeznews.inKerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan inaugurated the Southern Regional Agriculture Fair 2026 at the Kerala Agricultural University, highlighting the importance of modernising agriculture to enhance profitability for farmers. In his address, he underscored the transformative impact of technologies such as precision farming, artificial intelligence, and drones on the agricultural sector. Rajan praised the university's pivotal role in delivering value-added technologies directly to farmers, describing its evolution as a journey "from soil to sky." He noted that the institution has successfully turned traditional farmers into entrepreneurs through its initiatives. The event featured around 200 exhibition stalls, live technology demonstrations, farmer-scientist interactions, and competitions for both farmers and students, alongside farm visits and B2B meetings for FPOs and agri start-ups. The fair was presided over by B. Ashok, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAt the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron defended the proposed deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets with India, emphasizing a commitment to maximizing Indian content in the aircraft. He stated that increasing indigenous components would strengthen India and create jobs, countering criticism of the deal. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also pushed for higher local content, aiming for over 50% localization, while Dassault Aviation has initially agreed to around 40%. The deal, expected to cost approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore, will see most aircraft co-produced in India, with a final assembly line and manufacturing facilities established locally. The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafales, and a recent deal for 26 marine versions was signed by the Indian Navy. Despite past opposition allegations regarding procurement irregularities, the Supreme Court upheld the Rafale contract, dismissing claims of corruption.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 7 pmeznews.inFishermen in India will soon require an "Access Pass" to operate within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as part of a new regulatory framework set to launch on February 20 in Veraval, Gujarat. This initiative aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and align operations with export standards, following the EEZ Rules, 2025, established in November 2025. The Access Pass will enable fishers, cooperatives, and producer organizations to legally access the EEZ, which extends 200 nautical miles from the coast and covers approximately 24 lakh square kilometers. Currently, most fishing occurs within 40–50 nautical miles of shore, but the new system is designed to encourage deeper water fishing for high-value species like tuna. The framework includes structured entry norms and compliance measures to enhance traceability and certification, ultimately supporting India's seafood export growth, which reached ₹62,408 crore in FY 2024-25. Veraval, a key fisheries hub, will spearhead this initiative.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 6 pmeznews.inUS Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has extended an invitation for New Delhi to formally join the US-led strategic alliance known as 'Pax Silica', aimed at enhancing supply chains for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). This development is part of ongoing efforts to finalize a trade deal and strengthen bilateral relations, which have faced challenges in recent times. India is expected to officially join the initiative on Friday, following its launch in December, where partner nations, including Australia, Japan, and the UK, signed a declaration outlining a vision for deep economic and technological cooperation. The Pax Silica initiative emphasizes the importance of a reliable supply chain for mutual economic security and recognizes AI as a transformative force for prosperity. The declaration highlights the potential for economic growth across the global AI supply chain, fostering new opportunities in energy, manufacturing, and technology.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndian cardamom exporters are optimistic about the 2026 export season, anticipating volumes to reach approximately 14,000 tonnes—nearly double the historical average—due to a significant 50% production drop in Guatemala, which has created a supply gap in the global market. Following successful spot bookings at the Gulfood Expo, Indian exporters have regained market share in Iran and the Middle East, particularly ahead of the Nowruz and Ramadan seasons. Despite challenges from the Red Sea shipping crisis, trade routes to West Asia remain largely unaffected, allowing shipments to continue with minimal disruption. The recent removal of additional duties on Indian spices by the US has further bolstered competitiveness. With prices stabilizing around Rs2450 per kg and a projected crop of 32,000 to 35,000 tonnes for 2025-26, the industry is poised for continued growth, especially with increasing domestic demand anticipated for Holi.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe ePlane Company, a manufacturer of Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced its intention to develop virtual models of its e200X electric air taxis using NVIDIA's Omniverse libraries. This initiative aims to create a 'Digital Twin' of the e200X series, allowing for the engineering and simulation of intricate aerodynamic interactions, sensor responses, and various flight scenarios. By leveraging this technology, the company can validate operations under extreme weather conditions, sensor failures, and collision scenarios, effectively training its algorithms through millions of virtual kilometers before actual flights. Founder and CTO Satya Chakravarthy emphasized that this collaboration with NVIDIA enables the company to rigorously test its aircraft in simulations, enhancing safety and performance. NVIDIA's support is also seen as a boost for India's start-up ecosystem, providing access to advanced computing and AI resources to help companies scale globally.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe APEC Climate Center (APCC) has issued an "El Niño" watch, indicating potential drought conditions in the coming seasons. The report forecasts above-normal temperatures globally, particularly in India, western Europe, Central Asia, Russia, Australia, and parts of the Americas. Conversely, below-normal precipitation is expected in India, Central America, and northern South America, which could adversely affect India's South-West monsoon, reminiscent of the 2023 season that saw drought in 25% of the country and led to restrictions on rice exports. Seasonal outlooks predict varied precipitation patterns, with above-normal rainfall anticipated in the tropical North Pacific and below-normal in the Maritime Continent and off-equatorial South Pacific. The report highlights a strong likelihood of above-normal temperatures across many regions, including Europe and Africa, while some areas in the North Atlantic may experience below-normal temperatures. The findings underscore the ongoing impacts of climate variability on global weather patterns.
Published: Feb 19 2026, 5 pm
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