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The Punjab government has formally objected to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) regarding the release of six wheat varieties that require significantly higher fertilizer application, raising concerns over their suitability for the state. Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) has warned that these varieties—DBW 303, DBW 327, DBW 332, DBW 370, DBW 371, and DBW 372—demand 50% more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash than standard varieties, which could exacerbate chemical fertilizer use. In a letter to ICAR, PunSeed's Managing Director Shailender Kaur requested urgent clarification, emphasizing the need for suitable seed varieties for farmers, particularly those affected by floods. While ICAR acknowledges the higher yield potential of these varieties, ranging from 7.5 to 8 tonnes per hectare, they stress that farmers should have the choice to pursue higher yields. Meanwhile, PAU promotes judicious input use and does not endorse these high-fertilizer varieties for Punjab's farmers. 
Published: Nov 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a bid to enhance the production of critical minerals, the Union Cabinet has approved a rationalisation of royalty rates for graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium. Notably, graphite is the only mineral in this category with a royalty rate specified on a per tonne basis. For graphite with 80% or more fixed carbon, the royalty will be set at 2% of the average sale price (ASP), while for lower-grade graphite, it will be 4%. Both caesium and rubidium will incur a 2% royalty based on the metal content in the ore, and zirconium will be taxed at 1%. This decision aims to promote the auction of mineral blocks, unlocking not only these minerals but also associated critical minerals like lithium and tungsten. The move is expected to reduce imports, mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, and create job opportunities, as India currently imports 60% of its graphite needs.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn response to the challenges posed by US President Donald Trump's import tariffs, the Indian Union Cabinet has launched a five-year Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with a budget of ₹25,060 crore. This initiative aims to bolster the competitiveness of Indian exporters, particularly in sectors like textiles, leather, and engineering goods, which have been adversely affected by recent global tariff increases. The Cabinet also approved an expansion of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters, allowing the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company to provide full credit guarantees for up to ₹20,000 crore in additional loans to eligible exporters, including MSMEs. The EPM will incorporate key support schemes and operate through two sub-schemes, Niryat Protsahan and Niryat Disha, with a focus on enhancing market readiness and providing affordable trade finance. This comes as India's exports to the US, its largest market, fell by 12% in September, following a 50% tariff hike on most products.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia is set to become the world's largest contributor to oil demand growth by 2035, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2025. With energy demand projected to grow at an annual rate of 3%, India will surpass China in oil consumption, increasing its usage from 5.5 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2024 to 8 mb/d by 2035. This surge is driven by rising car ownership, demand for plastics, and increased use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). However, India's import dependence for crude oil is expected to rise to 92% by 2035, despite government efforts to boost domestic production. Natural gas consumption is also anticipated to nearly double, with imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tripling during the same period. While coal generation will plateau, India's energy demand is projected to grow by 80% by 2035, driven by increased use of air conditioning and appliances.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPublic sector banks (PSBs) in India reported a nearly 10% increase in net profit during the April-September period of the current fiscal year, amounting to over ₹93,000 crore, according to Finance Ministry data. In a recent review meeting, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju emphasized the importance of enhancing risk management, underwriting practices, and operational resilience to maintain profitability amid a changing financial landscape. The Ministry urged banks to focus on low-cost deposit mobilization and credit growth, particularly in the MSME and agriculture sectors. Discussions also highlighted the need for inclusive and secure digital banking, with an emphasis on improving cyber resilience and customer service through responsible AI and data analytics. Additionally, PSBs were encouraged to leverage digital platforms for efficient debt recovery and to maintain financial discipline while leading India's banking transformation towards a more inclusive future.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a ceremony held in New Delhi on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan honored farmers nationwide for their vital role in seed conservation and biodiversity. Speaking at the Plant Genome Saviour Awards, which coincided with the Silver Jubilee of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) Act, 2001, Chouhan emphasized the importance of balancing traditional seed preservation with the promotion of high-yielding varieties. He cautioned that farmers may lose interest in registering their innovative varieties if regulatory benefits remain elusive. Highlighting the nutritional and ecological significance of indigenous crops, he urged the PPVFRA to compile actionable suggestions from stakeholders and enhance awareness of farmers' rights. Chouhan also called for simplifying registration processes and creating a comprehensive database to safeguard knowledge of indigenous varieties, while recognizing the contributions of select farmers in the field.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inRallis India Limited, a Tata enterprise, has launched NuCode, short for "Nutrition Code," aimed at advancing sustainable farming through science-led practices. The initiative provides farmers with a range of scientifically formulated biological solutions, including bio-fertilisers, bio-stimulants, and bio-pesticides, organized into systematic and easily identifiable solution sets. This modern framework is designed to replace traditional agricultural products, promoting the adoption of high-efficacy biological inputs across India. Rallis India emphasizes that by equipping farmers with knowledge, tools, and training, it seeks to enhance agricultural sustainability and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. The company asserts that NuCode products will deliver visible and measurable results, thereby building farmers' confidence in biological solutions. This launch reflects Rallis India's commitment to fostering a more sustainable agricultural landscape in the country.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSpiceJet reported a net loss of ₹635.42 crore for the second quarter of FY26, a significant increase from the ₹447.54 crore loss in the same period last year. Excluding foreign exchange impacts, the loss was ₹447.70 crore, slightly higher than the previous year's ₹424.26 crore. Chairman Ajay Singh attributed the losses to costs associated with fleet revival and expansion, which he believes will yield positive results moving forward. The airline's performance was also affected by recalibrated dollar-based obligations, costs of grounded aircraft, and rising operating expenses due to airspace restrictions. Despite these challenges, SpiceJet maintained a healthy Passenger Load Factor of 84.3% and reported a loss of ₹203.80 crore on an EBITDAR basis. The airline has undertaken fleet enhancements, finalizing leases for 19 aircraft, and improved its financial position through restructuring measures, including a $24-million settlement with Credit Suisse.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inCorteva Agriscience has launched Pixxaro, a new broadleaf weed control solution for wheat in India, designed to enhance crop safety and yield potential. This post-emergent pre-mix combines Arylex active and Fluroxypyr, effectively managing tough broadleaf weeds (BLWs) such as Chenopodium album and Rumex dentatus, which can reduce wheat yields by up to 36% if left uncontrolled. Unlike traditional methods that often prioritize narrow-leaf weeds, Pixxaro offers a one-shot, broad-spectrum efficacy, minimizing the need for multiple applications and reducing crop shock. Extensive research and farmer demonstrations across key wheat-growing states have confirmed its reliable performance, even in challenging conditions. Corteva emphasizes responsible use through farmer training and stewardship initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to science-driven crop protection that supports both crop health and grower profitability.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 6 pmeznews.inFood inflation in India has plummeted to -5.02% in October 2025, marking a significant decline in prices across various categories, including oils, vegetables, and cereals. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the same month recorded a low retail inflation rate of 0.25%, the lowest since the base year of 2012, according to the Statistics Ministry. This decrease of 119 basis points from September is attributed to the full impact of reduced Goods and Services Tax (GST), a favorable base effect, and lower prices in several sectors. Rural food inflation stood at -4.85%, while urban food inflation fell to -5.18%. Overall, the rural sector experienced a headline inflation rate of -0.25%, down from -1.07% in September, while urban inflation decreased from 1.83% to 0.88%. Education and health inflation rates also saw slight increases, at 3.49% and 3.86%, respectively.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 4 pm
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