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As Malaysia's palm oil industry faces stringent European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) norms and increasing competition, efforts are intensifying to empower smallholders, who manage a significant portion of the sector. These farmers, cultivating 26.4% of palm oil plantations, often operate on tight margins due to limited resources and fluctuating prices. To enhance their competitiveness, they receive support in the form of seeds, fertilizers, and training in sustainable practices. Initiatives like the Wild Asia Group Scheme (WAGS) are pivotal, helping smallholders achieve certification under global standards, thereby improving yields and reducing costs. With Sabah contributing nearly a quarter of Malaysia's output, the region is a key focus for these empowerment efforts. As the industry adapts to meet global sustainability demands, smallholders are positioned as essential players in ensuring the sector's resilience and long-term growth. 
Published: Jun 25 2025, 5 pmeznews.inReliance Defence, led by Anil Ambani, has secured a significant export order valued at ₹600 crore for large calibre ammunition from German defence firm Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH. This deal, part of a six-year agreement, will see ammunition produced at Reliance's new Ratnagiri plant in Maharashtra, with exports expected to commence early next year. While the specific quantity of ammunition was not disclosed, the order marks a pivotal moment in India's push for self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing, with the country currently meeting 88% of its ammunition needs through domestic production. The partnership underscores Reliance Defence's ambition to enhance its role in the global defence supply chain, particularly in Europe, and aligns with India's 'Make in India' initiative. Both companies expressed their commitment to long-term collaboration, reflecting a strategic alignment with India's defence goals under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 8 pmeznews.inTIL Ltd., a Kolkata-based manufacturer, has established a dedicated strategic business unit (SBU) for defence products, aiming to enhance its offerings in the sector, which include cranes, amphibious vehicles, and missile platforms for systems like Akash and BrahMos. With a history in defence dating back to 1965, TIL has two manufacturing facilities in Kolkata and Kharagpur, which currently produce defence equipment. The newly formed TIL Defence SBU will focus on developing next-generation missile launch systems and other advanced military solutions, while leveraging existing resources rather than building new factories. The company, acquired by Gainwell Group in January 2024, reported a significant revenue increase of ₹343 crore for FY25, with a substantial portion attributed to defence contracts. TIL's Chief Operating Officer, Pinaki Niyogy, emphasized the importance of clear governance in managing both defence and civilian products to avoid conflicting signals in the market.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh (RKM), an Indian farmers' forum, has voiced strong opposition to ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, expressing concerns that the US intends to offload its subsidised agricultural products, including wheat, corn, pork, chicken, soybeans, and milk, into the Indian market. The RKM highlighted that the US, a major agricultural subsidiser, has accumulated surplus stocks due to its trade war with China, which could threaten local farmers if import duties are reduced. The group plans to collaborate with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a coalition of farmers' unions, to resist the FTA. Additionally, the RKM raised issues regarding cultural sensitivities, noting that US dairy products may contain ingredients that conflict with Indian dietary practices, and criticized the lack of stringent labeling requirements for such imports.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAt the MSME Growth Conclave in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized the need for a robust ecosystem to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as the backbone of India's economy. He urged a shift away from reliance on foreign firms, advocating for domestic manufacturing to meet local demand. The event brought together policymakers and industry leaders, including Ananth Narayanan, who highlighted a "golden phase" for Indian entrepreneurship due to increased global opportunities and risk capital availability. Discussions also focused on defence manufacturing, with Lt Col Velan stressing the importance of aligning with global standards. The conclave underscored the necessity for enhanced public-private collaboration and stable policies to boost competitiveness, as noted by Vijay Peri. The event was supported by various institutions, including Nitte Deemed to be University and NABARD, showcasing a collective effort to strengthen India's industrial future.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's horticulture production has reached a record high of 367.72 million tonnes (mt) for the 2024-25 crop year, driven by a significant surge in potato output to over 60 mt and a 6.5 mt increase in onion production. The Centre reported a 3.66% rise in overall horticulture output from 354.74 mt in the previous year, despite only a slight increase of 1.81 lakh hectares in cultivated area. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the contributions of farmers and supportive government policies in achieving this milestone. Vegetable production rose by 6.02% to 219.67 mt, with notable gains in onions, potatoes, and green chillies, while fruit production increased by 1.36% to 114.51 mt, led by watermelon and banana. Prices for vegetables and fruits remained stable, with government interventions to manage inflation during the year.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's economic activity showed resilience in May 2025, despite global uncertainties, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) latest bulletin. High-frequency indicators, including E-Way bills and Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue, indicated robust growth, with GST collections exceeding ₹2 lakh crore for the second consecutive month. However, urban demand exhibited signs of moderation, particularly in passenger vehicle sales, while rural demand surged, bolstered by a strong agricultural sector. Inflation remained benign, with headline inflation at 2.8%, the lowest since February 2019, driven by record crop production. Despite these positive indicators, RBI staffers warned of potential risks from ongoing trade policy uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, which could impact future economic prospects. Overall, consumer sentiment remains stable, reflecting optimism about the economy's resilience amid external challenges.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia and the United States are currently engaged in negotiations to finalize an interim trade deal by July 9, 2025, amid ongoing tensions over tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. While India aims to keep the option of retaliatory measures open at the World Trade Organization (WTO) should the talks falter, it has pledged not to take immediate action during the discussions. The backdrop includes a history of tariffs imposed by the US in 2018, which led India to retaliate with tariffs on various US products. Recently, India lodged complaints with the WTO regarding the US tariffs, arguing they are improperly applied safeguard measures affecting $7.6 billion in exports. As negotiations progress, India seeks to address not only the reciprocal tariffs but also sector-specific tariffs on automobiles. The full trade agreement is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2025, although uncertainties remain regarding the outcome of the talks.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndiGo is expanding its international reach by connecting over 50 domestic destinations to Manchester and Amsterdam via Mumbai, according to industry sources. The airline aims to establish Mumbai as a regional hub, facilitating travel from tier-2 and tier-3 cities to Europe with attractive features like single ticket check-in and short layovers of under five hours. This strategy not only enhances passenger convenience but also allows IndiGo to circumvent Pakistan's airspace and conflict zones in West Asia. The airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, emphasized the goal of creating a self-reliant flight network to meet the rising demand for international travel. IndiGo plans to launch direct flights to ten new international destinations this fiscal year, including London and Copenhagen, and has partnered with Air France-KLM, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic to enhance connectivity to over 30 destinations in Europe and the US, positioning itself as a competitive player in global aviation.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA low-pressure area is anticipated to form over the north-west Bay of Bengal off the Odisha and West Bengal coasts by Thursday, heralding a significant wet spell across India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that this system, marked by rotating winds, could enhance monsoon conditions, potentially extending rainfall across the country ahead of the usual July 8 timeline. The low-pressure system is expected to operate steadily, benefiting from a quieter storm season in the South China Sea and the Pacific, which has seen limited activity. Meanwhile, the monsoon has gradually advanced into parts of Rajasthan, West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, with conditions favorable for further progression. Recent heavy rainfall has raised overall precipitation levels by 4%, although some regions, particularly in Central India and the South Peninsula, still face deficits. Heavy rains have been reported in various states, including West Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, as the monsoon approaches.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 6 pmeznews.inScientists at the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) have developed a groundbreaking method to assess soil health, significantly reducing the evaluation time from weeks to mere minutes. This innovative approach, which combines satellite imaging and spectroscopy, has achieved an impressive 81% accuracy rate in detecting soil degradation, a pressing issue for food security in drought-prone regions. The research highlights the importance of irrigation in mitigating the adverse effects of soil degradation, showing that while rain-fed crops suffer yield declines, irrigated crops demonstrate resilience. This method not only provides a quick and cost-effective alternative to traditional soil testing but also equips farmers and policymakers with vital insights to enhance soil health and bolster food systems in semi-arid areas. The findings were published by the British Society of Soil Science, emphasizing the need for timely interventions to protect agricultural landscapes.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 5 pm
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