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The Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has called on the government to prohibit imports of genetically modified (GM) soyabean meal from the US, warning that such imports could severely harm domestic agriculture and undermine the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, SOPA chairman Davish Jain highlighted that India has ample stocks of soyabean meal, estimating a total supply of 78.98 lakh tonnes for the 2025-26 marketing season, exceeding the domestic feed sector's consumption of 62 lakh tonnes. Jain cautioned that allowing imports would depress market prices, exacerbating the plight of farmers already facing low prices, and jeopardize the viability of the domestic processing industry. He emphasized India's reputation as a supplier of high-quality non-GMO soy products, urging the government to protect this status and support local farmers by ensuring a favorable market environment. 
Published: Oct 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inDuring the Indian Navy's biannual Commanders' Conference 2025 in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the Navy's crucial role in ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), which has become a focal point of global geopolitics. He highlighted the Navy's facilitation of safe passage for around 335 merchant vessels, carrying 1.2 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at $5.6 billion. Singh emphasized India's growing credibility as a trusted global maritime partner, attributing this to the Navy's commitment to indigenisation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with 67% of capital acquisition contracts awarded to Indian industries. He noted that the Navy's innovation projects are enhancing self-reliance and contributing to job creation, exemplified by the Project 17A frigates. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, praised the Navy's operational excellence, particularly highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's major reservoirs are currently at over 90% capacity, with data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) indicating that one in three dams are brimming. As of this week, the overall storage across 161 reservoirs stands at 90.74% of their total capacity, surpassing last year's levels by over four percentage points and exceeding the 10-year average by 15 percentage points. While the country has experienced a 13% deficit in post-monsoon rainfall since October 1, South India has seen a surplus of 79%. Notably, 50 reservoirs are full, with Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan reporting significant overflow. The western region boasts the highest storage levels at 97.23%, while the southern region is at 89.5%. As the rabi crop sowing season begins, the anticipated North-East monsoon rainfall is expected to further benefit agricultural activities across the southern, western, and central regions.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 8 pmeznews.inCountries within the G-20 bloc are increasingly interested in India's long-standing food reserves system, which has faced criticism from the US and others at the WTO. Nations like Germany and Brazil are exploring similar models to enhance their own food security. South Africa's agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, emphasized the need for targeted and effective food reserves that align with broader policy goals across agriculture, trade, and health. Brazil is considering a crop procurement system akin to India's Minimum Support Price (MSP) to support small farmers, while Germany aims to adopt India's model to stabilize prices during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. A G-20 consensus paper advocating for food reserves is expected soon, following feedback from member countries. Despite scrutiny over its MSP increases, India defends its approach as vital for supporting small farmers and maintaining global food security, asserting that it does not export rice from its procured stocks.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a significant policy shift, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 in New Delhi, aimed at enhancing competition and facilitating private sector participation in India's defence procurement. Effective from November 1, 2025, the new manual eliminates the need for a 'No Objection Certificate' from Defence Public Sector Undertakings, streamlining revenue procurement processes worth approximately ₹1 lakh crore. It replaces the decade-old DPM 2009 and introduces provisions for assured orders for indigenously developed items, thereby bolstering the domestic manufacturing ecosystem. Key reforms include a relaxation of the 'liquidated damages' clause for delayed deliveries, allowing 'Limited Tender' enquiries for procurements up to ₹50 lakh, and enhancing workload during ship refits. Singh emphasized that the manual aims to simplify procedures, ensure transparency, and create more opportunities for MSMEs and start-ups, ultimately supporting India's defence and maritime manufacturing sectors.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe renowned Devgad Hapus (Alphonso) mango has made an unexpected early appearance in the market this year, arriving well ahead of its typical December-January season. The first consignment from the Konkan region reached Vashi just in time for Diwali, delighting traders and mango lovers alike. Grower Prakash Shirsikar dispatched this initial batch nearly two months early, surprising consumers who usually associate the Hapus with summer. Despite limited supply and high prices, demand remains strong as buyers seek the season's first taste. Favorable weather and improved orchard management have contributed to the early ripening, with traders optimistic about a robust season ahead. The arrival of these GI-tagged mangoes has generated excitement across Maharashtra, with some consignments also sent to Satara, promising higher returns during the festive period. The early harvest signals a bright future for the Konkan mango industry.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAs global negotiations on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture approach in November 2025 in Peru, a group of Indian scientists has urged the Union Government to champion the interests of the Global South. In a memorandum to Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Scientists for Genetic Diversity (SGD) highlighted the failure of the current voluntary system to adequately compensate biodiversity-rich nations for the significant commercial value derived from their genetic resources. They noted that approximately seven million accessions have been transferred under the Multilateral System, yet the financial returns remain minimal. The scientists called for a mandatory Milestone Subscription System linked to the commercial turnover of companies using key crops, advocating for sovereign rights over Digital Sequence Information (DSI) to ensure mandatory benefit sharing. Notable signatories include Suman Sahai, Sarath Babu Balijepalli, and Dinesh Abrol.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPune is set to enhance its status as a key aviation hub with plans to revive Maharashtra’s first dedicated heliport at the Hadapsar Gliding Centre. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is in the process of selecting a private entity for the heliport's Operations and Maintenance, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the region's civil aviation infrastructure. Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol highlighted that the project aims to operationalise the heliport while preserving existing gliding activities. A Land Lease Agreement was signed in October 2023, paving the way for the project, which will cater to various services including emergency medical evacuations and tourism. With Pune already hosting India’s largest helicopter fleet, the revival is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity and support Maharashtra's aviation goals. Additionally, plans for a second heliport in the district are also in the pipeline, further enhancing the state's aviation landscape.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAt the 'Vision 2031' seminar in Kerala, APM Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce, highlighted the state's potential for an air-sea cargo mix, with Adani Vizhinjam Ports CEO Pradeep Jayaraman asserting that Kerala's capital could rival Singapore due to its unique proximity of seaport and airport. Jayaraman announced plans for a Phase 2 expansion of Vizhinjam Port, which will include a two-kilometre single-line berth and enhanced multi-cargo handling capabilities, as the port currently operates at 120-130% capacity. Additionally, Ramesh Kannan, CEO of Kaynes Technologies, revealed a ₹500 crore investment to establish an electronic assembly unit in Perumbavoor, which will eventually employ around 4,000 engineers. The seminar, organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce alongside various state corporations, also featured discussions on funding for startups focused on decarbonisation and AI, as shared by BPCL's CMD Sanjay Khanna.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts has reported that a western disturbance is expected to dissipate a depression over the Arabian Sea, leading to rainfall in parts of North-West India. Meanwhile, a stationary depression off the coasts of north Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh is anticipated to linger until Monday. The North-East monsoon is set to intensify next week, with significant moisture accumulation over South Peninsula and parts of West and Central India, likely resulting in heavy rainfall. A depression in the south-east Arabian Sea is shifting towards the Konkan-Mumbai coast, while another low-pressure system is forming in the south-east Bay of Bengal, expected to intensify and move towards the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh coast. Heavy rainfall is forecast for Kerala, Coastal Karnataka, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, with isolated heavy showers also expected in Goa and Gujarat over the coming days.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inInternational shipping companies are increasingly opting to register their vessels under the Indian flag, with Denmark's A.P. Moller - Maersk recently reflagging two ships, Maersk Vilnius and Maersk Vigo, from Hong Kong to India. This move, which follows similar actions by French shipping giant CMA CGM, signifies growing confidence in India's maritime regulations and infrastructure. Currently, India boasts a fleet of approximately 1,600 vessels with a gross tonnage of 14 million tonnes, while spending $75 billion annually on leasing foreign ships. The reflagging initiative not only enhances the Indian fleet but also ensures that Indian cargo is transported on Indian-flagged vessels, bolstering local economies and creating jobs for Indian seafarers. Additionally, Indian-flagged ships receive priority for government cargo, further incentivizing this trend. With Switzerland's MSC also expected to join the reflagging movement, the Indian maritime sector anticipates continued growth.
Published: Oct 23 2025, 6 pm
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