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In a landmark achievement for India's smallholder farmers, the Ule Farmers Producer Company (FPC) from Solapur, Maharashtra, has successfully exported its first full-scale banana shipment to Oman, weighing 20 metric tonnes. This milestone, facilitated by agritech platform Vegrow, represents a significant step for farmer collectives aiming to access international markets. The success is attributed to the state government's SMART program, which provided essential infrastructure support, including modern packhouses and cold storage, enabling Ule FPC to meet global export standards. Established in 2017 by marginal grape growers, Ule FPC has grown to include 1,127 farmer-shareholders and has earmarked 100 acres for banana cultivation, with plans to expand to 500 acres next year. Senior member Appa Ramchandra Dhanke highlighted the transformative impact of exports on farmers' livelihoods, while Dr. Hemant Vasekar from the Maharashtra government expressed optimism for future export opportunities. 
Published: Sep 01 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Second National Fairtrade in India Conference & Recognition Event, organized by Fairtrade India and the Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers, will take place on September 9-10, 2025, in Bengaluru. Supported by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia Programme, the conference aims to unite over 150 stakeholders from the Fairtrade ecosystem, including farmers, businesses, policymakers, and youth representatives. Themed “Sustainability, Markets, and Impact,” the event will address critical issues in sustainable trade, such as Fairtrade’s role in promoting ethical practices, enhancing sustainable agriculture, and building resilient supply chains. Notably, domestic sales of Fairtrade-labelled products surged from ₹23.92 crore in 2022 to ₹77.22 crore in 2024, while exports are estimated between ₹330 to ₹450 crore annually. The Fairtrade Premium of nearly ₹49.81 crore generated in 2023 has been reinvested in local farming communities for education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 6 pmeznews.inDavangere Sugar Company Ltd (DSCL) is set to enhance its ethanol production capacity from 65 kilo litres per day (KLPD) to 85 KLPD by the end of the fiscal year, with plans to further increase it to 110 KLPD. This expansion aligns with the government's ethanol blending initiative and includes the installation of a 35-tonne per day CO₂ recovery plant. To ensure a steady supply of feedstock, DSCL will diversify its procurement by incorporating broken rice and maize, while also expanding sugarcane cultivation by 15,000 acres this year. The company aims to implement farmer-centric initiatives, including mechanised harvesting and organised cane transport, to improve productivity and farmer incomes. Chairman Ganesh Shivashankarappa Shamanur emphasized that these efforts will bolster revenues and profitability, while the company's integrated operations promote environmental sustainability. With supportive policies and growing biofuel demand, DSCL is poised to seize new market opportunities while fostering rural development.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 6 pmeznews.inOver 500 small-scale detergent manufacturers in Gujarat have urged the Union government to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on their industry from 18% to 5%. Naresh Jain, chairman of the Gujarat Small Scale Detergent Manufacturers Association (GSSDMA), emphasized that including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a turnover of up to ₹100 crore in the lower tax slab would enhance their competitiveness against multinational brands expanding into rural markets. The current high GST rates, coupled with an inverted tax structure, are straining working capital and competitiveness for these manufacturers. Additionally, elevated import duties on essential raw materials and complex compliance requirements further exacerbate their challenges. Jain called for special subsidies, working capital support, enhanced rebates under government schemes, and a streamlined compliance process to alleviate the burdens faced by MSMEs in the sector.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's gross domestic revenue reached approximately ₹1.37 lakh crore in August, marking a 9.6% increase from ₹1.25 lakh crore in the same month last year, according to the Finance Ministry. Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections also saw a rise, growing by 6.5% to exceed ₹1.86 lakh crore. However, net collections, which account for refunds, grew by 10.7% to around ₹1.67 lakh crore, despite a decline in import collections from ₹50,000 crore to over ₹49,300 crore. Notably, domestic refunds fell by over 21%, while refunds to exporters decreased by approximately 18%. The growth in GST collections is attributed to the consumption of goods and services in July. The data reflects ongoing trends in the Indian economy as it navigates post-pandemic recovery challenges.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAt the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a resolute address emphasizing India's resilience amid global challenges, including US tariffs. Modi highlighted India's commitment to transforming obstacles into opportunities, framing the nation's approach around three pillars: security, connectivity, and opportunity. He urged fellow SCO members, including China and Russia, to join India in its developmental journey, while subtly critiquing China's Belt and Road Initiative for bypassing sovereignty. Modi asserted that genuine connectivity must respect territorial integrity, reinforcing India's initiatives like the Chabahar Port to enhance ties with Afghanistan and Central Asia. On the summit's sidelines, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed strengthening bilateral relations based on mutual trust, while Modi also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the importance of cooperation in the face of external pressures.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inEuropean buyers have increasingly turned to Indian basmati rice over Pakistani varieties this year, primarily due to a significant price difference, with Pakistani basmati costing $250 more per tonne, according to Graham Carter, Managing Director of Ebro India Pvt Ltd. Ebro, a subsidiary of Spanish multinational Ebro Foods SA, noted that this shift contrasts with two years ago when Indian basmati was the pricier option. The company, which markets basmati under the Tilda brand, has seen strong demand for Indian rice, particularly as buyers seek cost-effective options. Despite a slight increase in Pakistan's basmati exports, the market remains complex, with varying preferences among buyers. Ebro India sources its basmati from around 12,000 farmers and is also expanding its domestic market presence with new pasta products. However, recent US tariffs pose challenges for Indian basmati exports, limiting Ebro's market share in that region.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has urged the Indian government to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on automotive tyres from the current 28% to 5%, arguing that tyres are essential for various sectors, including transportation, agriculture, mining, and construction. ATMA Chairman Arun Mammen emphasized that tyres should not be classified alongside luxury goods, as they significantly impact operating costs for small traders and farmers. The association highlighted that a lower GST rate would alleviate financial burdens and enhance logistics efficiency, benefiting multiple industries. Additionally, ATMA raised concerns about the potential accumulation of unutilised Input Tax Credit (ITC) for tyre dealers following any rate changes, recommending a prompt announcement of revised rates and a one-time refund for unutilised ITC. This appeal comes ahead of the GST Council meeting scheduled for September 3-4, where proposed reforms will be discussed.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's manufacturing sector experienced its most significant growth in over 17 years, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 59.3 in August, driven by strong domestic demand and production acceleration. The economy expanded by 7.8% in the April-June quarter, surpassing expectations. However, the Trump administration's recent imposition of a 50% tariff on U.S. imports of Indian goods, including garments and jewellery, poses a potential threat to future growth. While overall order growth remained robust, new export orders saw a slowdown, attributed to American buyers' hesitance amid tariff uncertainties. Despite these challenges, firms continued to hire, although at a reduced pace, and inflationary pressures increased with rising input and output prices. Business confidence improved, reflecting resilience in the face of external challenges, as manufacturers sought to rebuild inventory levels and adapt to changing market conditions.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia Post has announced a complete suspension of all mail operations to the United States, effective immediately, due to uncertainty surrounding new customs regulations imposed by the US government. This decision follows an executive order issued on July 30, 2025, which mandates customs duties on goods valued over $100, starting August 29. Initially, the postal service had only suspended shipments of gifts exceeding this value, but ongoing confusion regarding the rules has led to a broader halt, affecting letters, documents, and items valued under $100. The Department of Posts is monitoring the situation closely and is working to restore services as soon as possible. Customers with items already booked that cannot be dispatched are eligible for refunds. The suspension stems from US air carriers' inability to accept shipments due to a lack of clarity on operational guidelines from US Customs and Border Protection.
Published: Sep 01 2025, 9 am
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