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Spices Board revokes cardamomauction.com dealer license

The Spices Board has revoked the dealer's licence of Cardamomauction.com (Trade Code DL-253) due to breaches of the Cardamom (Licensing and Marketing) Rules, 1987. These regulations stipulate that only registered dealers can buy cardamom from registered growers and participate in the auction system. Following the licence cancellation, Cardamomauction.com is prohibited from engaging in cardamom auctions or purchasing from growers. The Spices Board has urged all auctioneers and growers to refrain from any transactions with the company. This decisive action aims to uphold compliance with statutory regulations and maintain the integrity of the cardamom marketing and auction framework. The announcement was made in a press release dated December 24, 2025. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 10 am

Farmers seek global tech aid for agriculture

Farmer associations in India, including the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) and the Bhartiya Kisan Coordination Committee (BKCC), are collaborating with the Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI) to enhance agricultural practices through a technology-focused visit to the Netherlands. This initiative aims to equip Indian farmers with advanced knowledge in modern farming techniques, improved seed technology, and crop enhancement methods. Gunvant Patil, General Secretary of AIKCC, emphasized the urgent need for technological innovation to boost agricultural production, as many farmers still rely on outdated seed varieties. BKCC member Guni Prakash highlighted plans to meet FCCI President Jasbir Singh to discuss opportunities for farmers, particularly from Punjab and Haryana, to learn about new agricultural technologies. Singh affirmed FCCI's commitment to supporting this collaboration, underscoring the importance of knowledge exchange for the future of Indian agriculture. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 9 am

Crisil: Falling Crude Prices to Stabilize India's CAD

Falling crude oil prices, a surplus in services exports, and steady remittance inflows are projected to keep India's current account deficit (CAD) manageable, despite challenges in goods exports due to global economic pressures, according to a report by Crisil. The CAD is expected to average 1% of GDP in fiscal 2026, up from 0.6% in fiscal 2025. The report highlights that while goods exports may struggle due to US tariff hikes and a global slowdown, supportive factors like declining oil prices—averaging $60 to $65 per barrel in 2026—will help mitigate the deficit. The CAD narrowed to 1.3% of GDP in Q2 of fiscal 2026, down from 2.2% a year earlier. Additionally, the government aims to reduce its fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP in fiscal 2026, although it stood at 52.6% of the full-year target by October, driven by lower tax revenues and increased capital spending. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 9 am

La Niña persists; negative IOD concludes, reports Australia’s agency

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported on December 24, 2025, that the La Niña weather phenomenon persists in the tropical Pacific, with the Niño3.4 sea surface temperature (SST) index recorded at −0.91 °C, indicating sustained La Niña conditions. The negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) has concluded, returning to neutral, and is expected to remain so until at least autumn 2026. BoM forecasts suggest that La Niña levels will continue until early 2026 before transitioning to neutral, aligning with international models but occurring earlier than typical ENSO decay. Atmospheric indicators, including trade winds and cloud patterns, support the ongoing La Niña, while elevated SSTs in the Australian region are the second warmest on record for November, likely intensifying storms and rainfall. Despite a predicted shift to neutral conditions, the excess ocean warmth suggests continued weather impacts globally in the coming months. sources

Published:
Dec 24 2025, 8 am

"Commerce Secretary Aims to Conclude US Trade Talks Soon"

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced on Tuesday that India is in active trade discussions with the United States, aiming to enhance market access for Indian exporters. Despite facing challenges, Indian exports to the US have remained resilient, with a notable 22.61% increase in November, reaching USD 6.98 billion. Agrawal emphasized the importance of concluding negotiations on the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), which seeks to address the steep 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods. While the US is India's largest trading partner, accounting for 18% of its exports, the Indian government is cautious about making concessions in agriculture and dairy sectors to protect local farmers. The goal is to double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Agrawal also highlighted ongoing efforts to establish free trade agreements with various countries, including the UK and New Zealand, to bolster India's export ambitions. sources

Published:
Dec 23 2025, 10 pm

GAIL signs MoU with Chhattisgarh for urea project

State-run GAIL (India) has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chhattisgarh government to explore the establishment of a greenfield gas-based urea fertiliser project. The MoU, signed in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, involves GAIL conducting detailed techno-economic studies for a urea manufacturing plant with a capacity of 1.27 million tonnes, strategically located along the Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline corridor. The Chhattisgarh government will facilitate the project by supporting feasibility studies, land allocation, and coordination with authorities for necessary approvals. GAIL, India's largest gas utility, aims to bolster domestic fertiliser production, aligning with Chhattisgarh's efforts to promote industrial growth through investor-friendly policies and infrastructure development. The project underscores GAIL's commitment to enhancing the country's downstream natural gas-based industries. sources

Published:
Dec 23 2025, 10 pm

HSL to construct two 60-ton tugs for Vizag Port Authority

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has reached a significant milestone in India's indigenous shipbuilding initiative with the keel-laying of the first 60-tonne Bollard Pull tug for the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, alongside a contract for a second tug. These tugs, measuring 32.5 metres, are designed to enhance port operations by improving vessel handling and turnaround times amid rising maritime traffic, aligning with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Dr. Madhaiyaan Angamuthu, Chairperson of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, emphasized the importance of timely delivery and quality in fostering trust between organizations, while Cmde Girideep Singh, HSL's Chairman, highlighted the shipyard's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The development underscores HSL's technical expertise and dedication to the Make-in-India campaign, crucial for supporting the growing demands of the national maritime ecosystem. sources

Published:
Dec 23 2025, 9 pm

CoreEL Technologies secures $30 million in Series B funding

CoreEL Technologies India Private Limited, a key player in the aerospace and defence sector, has secured $30 million in Series B funding from ValueQuest Scale Fund and 360 One Asset, the latter being an early investor that previously led CoreEL's Series A round. Established in 1999, CoreEL specializes in designing system- and subsystem-level electronics for radar, electronic warfare, avionics, and military communications, serving clients such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and various defence public sector undertakings. The new capital will enhance manufacturing capabilities, bolster research and development, and facilitate participation in significant domestic and international projects. This funding follows CoreEL's acquisition of Lekha Wireless’s Aerospace and Defence Systems division, which has expanded its communication systems portfolio. CoreEL's Managing Director, Vishwanath Padur, emphasized the company's commitment to delivering advanced electronic systems for strategic defence programs, reflecting strong investor confidence in its long-term vision. sources

Published:
Dec 23 2025, 8 pm

India-US trade talks slow amid holiday festivities

India is keen to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States to address the 50% additional tariffs imposed on most Indian goods since August. While discussions have slowed due to the holiday season, New Delhi anticipates a resurgence in negotiations come January 2026 to tackle remaining contentious issues. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal indicated that talks are at an advanced stage, although a resolution by year-end seems unlikely. India aims to align its tariffs with those of competitors like Vietnam and Bangladesh, which have secured lower rates. Key sticking points include U.S. demands for market access to genetically modified soya and corn, which India has resisted due to domestic regulations. The U.S. also seeks access to India's dairy market, a sensitive area for New Delhi. Despite the tariffs, the U.S. remains India's largest export market, with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion in FY25. sources

Published:
Dec 23 2025, 8 pm

Hindustan Zinc's CSR initiative benefits 1.4 lakh farmers

Hindustan Zinc Ltd's Samadhan project, part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, has significantly impacted the lives of approximately 140,000 farmers, generating over ₹192 crore in diversified farm income in the past year. The programme aims to enhance productivity and promote sustainable agriculture through strategies such as crop diversification, dairy development, and the establishment of farmer-led microenterprises. Key achievements include the creation of livestock assets valued at over ₹90 crore, production of 280 lakh litres of milk worth more than ₹88 crore, and nearly ₹7 crore in revenue from microenterprises. Central to its success is the formation of grassroots institutions, mobilising 510 farmer interest groups and five producer organisations with over 9,300 members. The initiative has also embraced climate-smart practices across 2,449 hectares, while empowering women farmers to take on leadership roles, thereby fostering community resilience and household prosperity. sources

Published:
Dec 23 2025, 8 pm

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