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An ethane tanker, the STL Qianjiang, has shifted its destination from China to India, reflecting the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions on global ethane flows. The vessel, which loaded at Energy Transfer's Nederland terminal, is now headed to Dahej, India, with Reliance Industries identified as the final buyer, according to Kpler data. This change comes after the U.S. government mandated that exporters obtain licenses to ship ethane to China, where approximately half of U.S. ethane exports are typically sent for use in the petrochemical industry. Energy Transfer and Enterprise Products Partners, major U.S. ethane producers, have received letters from the Commerce Department regarding the licensing requirement, with Enterprise also facing potential denials for emergency export requests totaling 2.2 million barrels to China. Ethane is favored by Chinese firms as a cost-effective feedstock compared to naphtha, while U.S. producers seek to offload excess domestic supply. 
Published: Jun 12 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Indian government has announced a significant reduction in toll rates, cutting them by up to 50% for national highway sections featuring structures like tunnels, bridges, and flyovers. This change, effective from July 2, 2025, follows amendments to the NH Fee Rules of 2008, introducing a new formula for calculating toll charges. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that toll fees will now be determined by comparing two calculations: ten times the length of the structures plus the remaining highway length, or five times the total highway length, with the lesser amount applied. For instance, on a 40-kilometre highway predominantly consisting of structures, users would only pay tolls based on 200 kilometres, effectively halving their costs. A senior official from the National Highway Authority of India noted that the previous toll calculation aimed to cover higher construction costs associated with such infrastructure.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 9 ameznews.inOnion farmers in Maharashtra are calling on the state government to shift procurement practices from Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), citing widespread corruption and unfair pricing. They allege that the current FPO-based system has failed to benefit genuine farmers, instead enriching intermediaries and depriving cultivators of fair compensation. In a statement, farmer groups emphasized that direct procurement through APMCs would enhance market transparency and competition, ultimately leading to better prices for their produce. The Maharashtra government has echoed these concerns, formally requesting the Central Government to revise onion procurement guidelines to prioritize APMC purchases. Central agencies like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) currently procure onions through FPOs, but farmers argue that this model has not fulfilled its intended purpose and has led to manipulation at the local level.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Green Revolution transformed India's agricultural landscape, achieving food self-sufficiency but also leading to significant environmental challenges, including soil degradation and loss of traditional crop varieties. With over 100,000 indigenous crops at risk, the need for biodiversity revival is urgent, especially as India's population is projected to reach 1.668 billion by 2050. Regenerative agriculture emerges as a viable solution, focusing on restoring ecological health while ensuring food security through practices that enhance soil fertility and biodiversity. Technology plays a crucial role in scaling these methods, with AI and IoT facilitating data-driven farming decisions. Globally, major food companies are adopting regenerative practices, demonstrating economic viability alongside environmental benefits. However, India faces hurdles such as high transition costs and limited awareness. A coordinated effort involving government, private sector, and local communities is essential to harness the potential of regenerative agriculture, positioning India as a leader in sustainable farming.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 10 ameznews.inVegetables in the TOP (Tomato, Onion, Potato) category have significantly contributed to a deflationary trend, with retail prices for onions and potatoes plummeting by 26.1% and 20.3%, respectively, in June 2025. According to a report by Bank of Baroda, inflation is projected to align with the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) targets, with an expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 3.7% for FY26. The BoB Essential Commodities Index also indicated a year-on-year deflation of 1.8% in June, marking three consecutive months of deflation, primarily due to improved production and supply conditions. While prices for cereals like rice softened by 5.1%, the report warns of potential seasonal price increases for TOP vegetables in July. With inflation remaining below the RBI's upper tolerance band, the central bank is expected to focus on growth-oriented measures in the near term.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 10 ameznews.inAs India confronts the escalating challenges of climate change, parametric insurance is emerging as a vital tool for rural communities, addressing the shortcomings of traditional insurance models. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, have severely impacted agricultural yields and rural incomes, necessitating diverse income streams for households. Traditional insurance schemes, like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna, often suffer from delayed payouts and complex claims processes, leaving farmers vulnerable. In contrast, parametric insurance offers swift, predetermined payouts based on specific environmental triggers, enhancing financial resilience and risk mitigation. Successful initiatives, such as Nagaland's parametric insurance for excessive rainfall, highlight its potential. However, challenges remain, including high distribution costs and low farmer awareness. With regulatory support and technological advancements, parametric insurance could significantly bolster the financial stability of rural communities, making it a crucial component of India's agricultural risk management strategy.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 9 ameznews.inBasmati rice exports, a cornerstone of India's agricultural trade, are increasingly threatened by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, Israel, and Palestine. Iran, the largest importer of Indian Basmati, significantly influences global demand and pricing; stability in Iran leads to price surges, while conflict results in decreased demand and market instability. This volatility has forced Indian exporters, especially from Punjab and Haryana, to navigate unpredictable price fluctuations driven by distant geopolitical events. Additionally, Indian export regulations, such as the Minimum Export Price (MEP), have complicated trade, prompting some buyers to seek alternatives from Pakistan. Meanwhile, stringent EU food safety standards pose further challenges for Indian exporters. In response, industry players are diversifying their markets and supply chains, exploring new opportunities in Africa and Southeast Asia, and investing in logistics and compliance to adapt to the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 9 ameznews.inIndia's Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has signaled that an interim trade deal with the United States is unlikely before the July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, emphasizing that India does not negotiate under pressure. Following a week of discussions in Washington, Goyal stated that India prioritizes its national interests and will only agree to a trade deal when it is fully matured and beneficial. The US, under President Donald Trump, has indicated that countries without a deal will face increased tariffs, which could range from 10% to 70%. Negotiations have stalled due to US demands for broader market access, particularly in sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, without offering equivalent concessions to India. Goyal reiterated that any agreement must safeguard India's food security and farmers' interests while also addressing India's need for access to labor-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Information & Broadcasting Ministry is set to amend guidelines for audience measurement agencies, aiming to eliminate cross-holding restrictions and facilitate the entry of multiple players in the sector. This initiative is seen as a progressive step towards fostering innovation, particularly as viewership shifts increasingly to digital platforms. While some experts welcome the move for potentially enhancing competition and improving data reliability, concerns have been raised about conflicts of interest and the risk of undermining the credibility of existing systems, particularly the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), which currently dominates TV ratings. Industry voices emphasize the need for transparency and trust in any new rating systems, cautioning against the dilution of BARC's established credibility. Advocates argue that the amendments could lead to better reporting of Television Rating Points (TRPs) and improved measurement for streaming services, addressing long-standing issues of opacity in the current ratings landscape.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAn Air India flight from Bengaluru to Delhi experienced a two-hour delay early Friday after a pilot collapsed in the cockpit of the Airbus A320. The airline confirmed the medical emergency, stating that the pilot was unable to operate flight AI2414 and was promptly taken to a local hospital, where he is now reported to be stable and under medical supervision. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 3:05 am, eventually took off after the airline arranged for an additional pilot to take over. Air India emphasized that their immediate priority is to support the pilot and his family during this time, ensuring his swift recovery. The incident highlights the airline's commitment to passenger safety and the well-being of its crew.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inOn March 26, 2023, the United States implemented a 25% tariff on imports of passenger vehicles, light trucks, and certain automobile parts from India, a move described as a safeguard measure. In response, India has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intention to impose retaliatory duties on US goods, potentially amounting to $723.75 million, which aligns with the US's tariff collection on Indian auto exports. India's notification highlights that the US tariffs could impact $2.895 billion in annual imports from India. While India has not yet decided to impose these retaliatory duties, it reserves the right to do so, citing a lack of consultations under WTO rules and asserting that the US measures violate international trade agreements. This development follows India's earlier notification regarding retaliatory duties on US steel and aluminum tariffs, which had been raised to 50%.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 9 pm
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