eznews.inLarge-scale imports of arecanuts from least developed countries (LDCs) like Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka are significantly harming India's domestic market, according to Captain Brijesh Chowta, a Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he highlighted that these countries benefit from zero customs duty under India's duty-free quota-free (DFQF) scheme, originally designed to aid LDC economies but now misused to flood the Indian market with low-cost, inferior quality arecanuts. This influx has destabilized prices and jeopardized the livelihoods of farmers in key producing regions, particularly in Karnataka, which alone produced around 10 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Chowta has urged the Union Finance and Commerce Ministers to exclude arecanut from DFQF benefits and restore normal customs duties, emphasizing that while India supports LDCs, it should not come at the expense of its farmers' economic security. 
Published: Dec 02 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Tea Board of India is launching a promotional campaign to enhance the presence of Indian teas in the United Kingdom, which ranks as the fifth largest buyer of Indian teas by both value and volume. The initiative comes in light of a recent 27% increase in tea exports to the UK, reaching $56.37 million in 2024-25, alongside an 18% rise in volume to 12.71 million kg. The campaign, set to run for two months, will utilize digital and social media platforms to raise awareness about the diverse varieties of Indian teas, including renowned types like Darjeeling and Assam, as well as popular blends such as masala chai and earl grey. This effort is particularly significant following the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to further boost tea shipments. The Tea Board is currently inviting bids from agencies to manage this comprehensive campaign.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 8 ameznews.inAksha Kamboj, Vice President of the India Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA) and Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global Ventures, highlighted the robust demand for gold in India, which is significantly influencing the global bullion market. She noted that consumers are increasingly blending jewellery purchases with investments in coins and bars, driven by seasonal events and improved liquidity, which has supported gold prices and narrowed discounts to international benchmarks. Kamboj expressed a "cautiously optimistic" outlook for gold and silver into 2026, citing their roles as hedges against geopolitical risks and inflation. She emphasized the importance of balancing short-term ETF movements with long-term physical investments. Additionally, Kamboj pointed out that central banks remain active buyers of gold, driven by diversification and inflation concerns. She also called for budget measures to enhance formal trade and access to gold monetisation schemes, reflecting a shift towards strategic asset building among buyers.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 9 ameznews.inRamesh Chand, a member of NITI Aayog, emphasized the need for a gradual reduction in agricultural emissions to combat climate change during the 33rd annual conference of the Agricultural Economics Research Association (AERA). He highlighted the importance of empowering rural women by providing them access to markets for their agricultural produce, noting that women make up 34% of the workforce and their participation in agriculture has risen to 12%. Chand pointed out that women’s contributions and productivity surpass those of their male counterparts. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), echoed these sentiments, stressing the potential for innovation in agri-food systems to address challenges like climate change and women's roles in agriculture. He called for an enabling environment, partnerships, and increased investments, urging scientists to develop climate-resilient crop varieties.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Airports Authority of India (AAI) is set to implement a new Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS) by March 2026, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and reliability of aeronautical message transmission, including flight plans and weather reports. This initiative follows a significant glitch in the existing Automatic Message Switching System last month, which caused delays for nearly 400 flights over two days. In response, AAI has been mandated to conduct a thorough audit of its communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment. The new AMHS, developed by Austrian firm Frequentis, will connect over 80 airports across India and is based on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. This modern system promises faster, more flexible communication, supports message attachments, and reduces reliance on voice coordination, aligning India with 28 other Asia-Pacific nations that have already adopted AMHS.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inDuring a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed the initiation of formal negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) by early 2026. This new approach marks a departure from previous talks, which were suspended in September 2023 amid allegations involving Indian officials and the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The renewed interest in trade follows Carney's election in March 2025, with both leaders aiming to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The CEPA is expected to encompass a broader range of sectors, including critical minerals, clean energy, aerospace, and defense. India's exports to Canada rose by 9.8% in 2024-25, while imports saw a slight decline. Carney is anticipated to visit India in early 2026 for further discussions on the CEPA.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted "normal to below-normal" temperatures across key agricultural regions, including Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, during the winter months of December to February, which is expected to benefit rabi crop growth. IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra noted that while some areas, particularly the western Himalayas and northeastern states, may see above-normal maximum temperatures, specifics for February—crucial for crop yields in Punjab and Haryana—were not detailed. The IMD anticipates an increase in cold wave conditions, with 4-5 additional days expected in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The first cold wave of the season occurred from November 8-18, with another predicted from December 3-5. Additionally, weak La Niña conditions are expected to persist into January, while December rainfall in southern peninsular regions is projected to be normal, ranging from 69-131% of the Long Period Average.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFarmers in India have made significant progress in sowing rabi crops, with the area planted reaching 62% of the normal target, according to the Agriculture Ministry. The total area under all agricultural crops has increased by 9.9% to 393.07 lakh hectares as of November 28, compared to 357.73 lakh hectares last year. Notably, the sowing area for paddy has risen by 7.7% to 9.10 lakh hectares, while wheat sowing has also surged to 187.37 lakh hectares, up from 160.26 lakh hectares. Mustard, a key oilseed, has been planted on 97% of its normal area. The government aims for a foodgrain output of 171.14 million tonnes this season. Meanwhile, water storage in major reservoirs has slightly decreased to 87.83% of capacity, with regional variations noted across northern and central India. Farmers are advised to select suitable crop varieties and manage irrigation effectively to optimize yields.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a recent note, ICRA highlighted that power utilities typically consume coal with a gross calorific value of 3,500-3,800 kcal/kg at pre-GST prices of ₹800-900 per tonne. The recent revision of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has led to an average price reduction of ₹260 per tonne for coal supplied to the power sector, which is expected to lower generation costs by 17 to 18 paise per kilowatt hour. Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy noted that the changes have rationalised the tax burden across coal grades, correcting an inverted duty structure that previously disadvantaged low-grade coal. The removal of the ₹400 per tonne GST Compensation Cess is anticipated to enhance the competitiveness of domestic coal against imports, supporting the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With around 70% of India's power generation from coal, these reforms are expected to reduce costs for distribution companies by approximately 12 paise per unit.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar production has surged by 50% in the first two months of the current season, reaching 41.35 lakh tonnes, largely driven by a nearly fourfold increase in output from Maharashtra. Data from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) revealed that 486 lakh tonnes of sugarcane were crushed by November 30, compared to 334 lakh tonnes last year, with an average sugar recovery rate rising to 8.51% from 8.27%. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka accounted for over 94% of the production, with Maharashtra alone expected to produce 110 lakh tonnes this season. Despite this growth, the NFCSF has urged the government to permit an additional 10 lakh tonnes for export to alleviate domestic market pressures and improve sugar prices. The sector also faces uncertainty over the long-awaited revision of the Minimum Selling Price, which NFCSF officials argue needs to be increased to ₹41 per kg to ensure fair revenue for farmers.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 7 pm
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