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The 'FPO Odisha Portal' has successfully onboarded over 975 farmer producer organisations (FPOs) across Odisha, connecting more than 320,000 smallholder farmers into a unified digital ecosystem. This innovative platform allows FPOs to register, manage operations, and apply for licences for seed, fertiliser, and pesticide sales, while also facilitating direct links with buyers. A feature called ‘FPO Assist’ acts as a digital marketplace, enabling FPOs to list produce and receive buyer inquiries, with over 313 commodity listings and 70 buyer connections established to date. The portal is integrated into Odisha’s broader digital governance framework and includes a 'Search and Connect' function to help buyers locate FPOs. An AI-powered chatbot is in development to assist FPOs with information and compliance. Recently showcased to a Gates Foundation team, the portal has been recommended as a model for replication in other states, highlighting its potential to transform smallholder agriculture in India. 
Published: Nov 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's government is set to list the Solar Energy Corp. of India Ltd. (SECI), a federal auctioning firm focused on green projects, amid rising interest in clean energy stocks. SECI, one of four state-owned companies responsible for renewable energy rollout, has facilitated the development of approximately 30 gigawatts of wind and solar projects. The renewable energy ministry has been urged to expedite the listing process, although details remain under discussion. The move comes as India aims to double its clean power capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030, a key step towards achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Despite the sector's growth, challenges persist, including the reduction of waivers on inter-state power transmission charges, which has raised concerns among state utilities. SECI, which currently has less than 200 megawatts of its own capacity, aims to expand this to 10 gigawatts and reported a profit of ₹500 crore ($56 million) for the year ending March 2025.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inSmall tea growers in Northeast India are calling on the central government to establish a pricing mechanism, such as a Minimum Support Price (MSP) or Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), for green tea leaves to safeguard their livelihoods against market fluctuations. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, associations representing these growers highlighted that while MSP is already in place for 22 agricultural crops, tea remains vulnerable due to its dual nature as both an agricultural and industrial product. They criticized the current Price Sharing Formula and Average Green Leaf Price system for exacerbating tensions between growers and manufacturers. The associations also urged the government to extend agricultural support schemes to small tea growers, including access to essential equipment and subsidized fertilizers. Additionally, they emphasized the need for a Minimum Sustainable Price of ₹35-40 per kg for green tea leaves, which they argue would not incur costs for the government.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a significant policy shift, the Indian government has withdrawn 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on essential chemicals and polymers to support downstream industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the textiles sector. This decision, announced by the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry, aims to ensure uninterrupted raw material availability and reduce input costs. The move aligns with recommendations from a NITI Aayog-led committee advocating for the scrapping of QCOs on inputs. While the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) maintains that the existing QCOs have improved the quality of domestically manufactured goods and curtailed low-quality imports, a government panel, led by Planning Commission member Rajiv Gauba, has suggested that QCOs should primarily focus on finished goods impacting consumer safety. The rescinded orders included key intermediates like Terephthalic Acid and various industrial plastics, a change welcomed by industry leaders as a step towards enhancing India's competitiveness in the global market.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 1 pmeznews.inD V Swamy, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), emphasized the critical need for food safety and traceability in the seafood value chain during his address at the World Aquaculture 2025 conference in Hyderabad. He urged stakeholders to adopt certification under the SHAPHARI initiative to enhance the global credibility of aquaculture products. Highlighting the significant contribution of coastal aquaculture to India's seafood exports, Swamy called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth in the sector. He shared success stories to inspire new entrepreneurs, noting that MPEDA supports the aquaculture industry through production, processing, and marketing initiatives. The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture (RGCA) is actively involved in diversifying aquaculture, while NaCSA and NETFISH provide technical assistance to farmers and fishers to implement Better Management Practices for quality assurance.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 1 pmeznews.inmRube, India's pioneering electronic trading platform for natural rubber, has garnered significant attention since its launch in 2022, facilitating the trade of over 43,500 tonnes through 2,700 contracts valued at ₹680 crore. The platform has successfully onboarded 2,700 members, including Rubber Producer Societies, tyre and non-tyre manufacturers, dealers, and processors. Designed to enhance transparency and market visibility, mRube allows users to negotiate prices and trade terms seamlessly. To encourage participation, the Rubber Board has introduced awards for top performers, with Balkrishna Industries of Mumbai recognized for the highest volume traded in the tyre sector during 2024-25. Other accolades were awarded to various companies across different categories, highlighting the platform's role in strengthening the rubber value chain and modernizing commodity marketing in India. The initiative reflects a significant advancement in the country's agricultural trading landscape.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia is emerging as a promising market for blueberries, despite currently limited imports, according to the RaboResearch Blueberry Update 2025. The report highlights that while China has experienced significant growth in blueberry production and consumption, other Asian countries, including India and Thailand, are also beginning to show increased demand. India alone has an estimated potential market of 87,000 tonnes. As global exporters look to diversify their markets beyond the US and EU, investments in blueberry cultivation are rising in Asia. North America and Europe continue to lead global blueberry demand, with per capita consumption in the US exceeding 1.3 kg. David Magaña, a senior analyst at RaboResearch, noted that the trend towards healthy snacking is driving demand growth. As the global supply expands, producers must focus on quality and strategic marketing to meet the rising consumption in both established and emerging markets.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 12 pmeznews.inWholesale price inflation (WPI) in India fell to -1.21% in October, a significant drop from 0.13% in September, primarily driven by a sharp decline in food prices, particularly for onions, potatoes, vegetables, and pulses. According to the latest data, deflation in food articles reached 8.31% in October, up from 5.22% the previous month, with vegetable prices plummeting by 34.97% and pulses by 16.50%. The easing of inflation in manufactured goods also contributed, with rates dropping to 1.54%. This decline follows recent cuts to Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, which aimed to reduce prices on essential items. Retail inflation mirrored this trend, hitting a record low of 0.25% in October, prompting speculation that the Reserve Bank of India may consider lowering benchmark interest rates in its upcoming monetary policy review scheduled for December 3-5.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Greenfield Airport at Bhogapuram is set to be completed ahead of schedule, with operations expected to commence by June 2026, according to G M Rao, Chairman of GMR Group. Speaking at the Andhra Pradesh CII Partnership Summit 2025, Rao announced plans for an integrated aerospace facility spanning 500 acres in Bhogapuram, which will include maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. He emphasized that this development will significantly enhance the pre-aerospace economy in Andhra Pradesh and unlock substantial economic growth potential in the region. Rao also highlighted Visakhapatnam's emerging status as the economic capital of the state, recalling the pivotal role played by former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in establishing the first Greenfield airport in India at Hyderabad. The announcement marks a significant step forward for infrastructure and economic development in Andhra Pradesh.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inAccording to the Indian Blue Book Survey, nearly half of car buyers in India now prefer SUVs, with the pre-owned car market projected to grow from 5.9 million units in FY25 to 9.5 million by 2030, reflecting a 10% annual increase. SUVs and compact SUVs have surged to dominate over half of the used car market, a significant rise from 23% four years ago, with average selling prices increasing by 36%. Notably, demand is particularly strong in non-metro areas, where 68% of buyers express a willingness to repurchase used vehicles. Volkswagen India's Brand Director, Nitin Kohli, emphasized that consumers are increasingly discerning, prioritizing safety and reliability, which has bolstered the popularity of certified pre-owned vehicles. The survey also revealed that 42% of consumers are inclined to buy the same brand again, with over 70% preferring organized dealers for their superior service and vehicle quality.
Published: Nov 14 2025, 10 am
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