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"Project Unnati: Empowering Uttarakhand Farmers with Climate-Resilient Practices"

The Coca-Cola India Foundation's Project Unnati Apple is transforming agriculture in Uttarakhand by promoting climate-resilient, high-yield apple farming. A notable success story is Basanti Bisht from Sunderkhal village, who transitioned from cultivating cabbage and wheat to high-density apple orchards after receiving training in modern farming techniques. Initially met with skepticism, Bisht's orchard produced seven boxes of apples in its first year, increasing to 50 in the second. Her success has inspired other women in her village to adopt similar practices, and she actively shares her knowledge with them. Project Unnati Apple aims to empower farmers by enhancing productivity and sustainability, supporting hundreds in adopting advanced horticultural methods. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve agricultural practices across India, ultimately fostering community growth and resilience. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 11 am

Asia Pacific aircraft accident investigators' meeting in India, Oct 28-31

India is set to host the Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting for the first time from October 28-31 in New Delhi, organized by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Approximately 90 delegates, including 60 from various Asia Pacific nations and representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will attend the four-day event. The meeting will focus on aircraft accident investigation processes and reporting, featuring workshops on October 28 and 29 led by AAIB and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials. Discussions will continue on October 30 and 31, culminating in an inauguration by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu. The AAIB, which is currently managing around 25 investigations, including the tragic Air India crash that claimed 260 lives in June, plays a crucial role in enhancing aviation safety in India. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 11 am

Overnight rain soaks southern TN and Kerala

Dense clouds enveloped southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Thursday morning, following persistent overnight rain as the region anticipates the official onset of the north-east monsoon. Thiruvananthapuram experienced cloudy skies and continued rainfall, attributed to a developing low-pressure area expected to settle over the Lakshadweep region by Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that districts including Tiruneveli, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari may experience heavy rain, while hilly areas in west Kerala could also see significant precipitation. The IMD reported widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across various states, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, on Wednesday. Looking ahead, the IMD warns of very heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the next two days, with thunderstorms and gusty winds expected in Coastal and South Interior Karnataka. The weather pattern is likely to persist, affecting several regions in the South Peninsula. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 10 am

India's Q2 FY2025-26 apparel exports fall 14.8%

India's apparel exports experienced a significant decline of 14.8% in the July-September quarter of FY2025-26, falling from USD 3,636 million in Q2 FY2024-25 to USD 3,097 million, according to a CITI analysis based on PIB data. This downturn reflects sluggish global demand and ongoing challenges in key markets, with apparel exports also registering a 10.14% decrease in September 2025 compared to the previous year. Despite this quarterly slump, cumulative figures for April-September 2025 indicate a modest recovery, with a 3.42% growth in apparel exports. In contrast, India's overall merchandise exports rose by 6.76% in September 2025, highlighting the specific pressures faced by the textile and apparel sector, which saw its share of total exports drop to 7.21% from 8.58% a year earlier. The report also noted significant declines in cotton and handloom products, alongside a 23.87% increase in cotton imports. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 9 am

India-US small parcel exports slow due to new duties

Exports of small parcels from India to the US have declined by 10-15% since the US government reinstated duties on shipments valued under $800 on August 29. Despite many exporters absorbing the new tariffs and only slightly increasing prices, the additional duties and stricter compliance checks have resulted in longer shipping times, now averaging 4-5 extra days. This decline is particularly notable during the peak shipping season coinciding with the Indian festive period and major US shopping events. Exporters are adapting by consolidating shipments to private warehouses in the US, rather than sending multiple individual parcels. While larger exporters may manage the new costs, smaller businesses face challenges, especially if their products are easily replaceable. Amazon Global Selling, which supports Indian exporters, remains optimistic about achieving $20 billion in e-commerce exports by 2025, despite the current downturn. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 7 am

India's Exports to US Drop 12% Amid Tariff Impact

India's merchandise exports to the United States fell by 11.93% to USD 5.46 billion in September, primarily due to a 50% tariff imposed by Washington on Indian goods starting August 27. In contrast, imports from the US rose by 11.78% to USD 3.98 billion during the same month, according to the commerce ministry. Over the April-September period, exports to the US increased by 13.37% to USD 45.82 billion, while imports grew by 9% to USD 25.6 billion. The decline in September marked a 17.9% drop from August, the steepest monthly fall of 2025, with sectors like textiles and engineering goods facing significant losses. Meanwhile, exports to China surged by 34.18% to USD 1.46 billion in September. As India and the US engage in trade negotiations, the impact of tariffs continues to reshape bilateral commerce. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 7 am

India bans roasted areca nut imports under ₹351/kg, with exemptions

The Indian government has imposed a ban on the import of roasted Areca nuts priced below Rs 351 per kilogram, as announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification on Wednesday. This measure aims to regulate the market and protect domestic producers from low-cost imports. However, the ban will not affect imports by 100 per cent export-oriented units (EOUs) operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) or those conducted under the Advance Authorisation Scheme, allowing certain exemptions for specific trade activities. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to bolster local agriculture and maintain fair pricing in the sector. The announcement was published on October 16, 2025. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 7 am

Global AgXelerate connects Indian agri-innovators to global markets

A new cross-border agri-platform, Global AgXelerate, was launched on Wednesday to connect India's agricultural innovators with global markets, positioning the country as a vital hub in the international agri-innovation landscape. Developed by AgVaya and BioSTL, with support from the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the Federation of Seed Industry of India, the platform aims to link startups, incubators, and investors from countries including the US, Brazil, and Israel. With India's agritech sector attracting $2.5 billion in funding since 2020, the initiative seeks to facilitate a two-way flow of technology, enhancing access for over 150 million smallholder farmers. Leaders emphasized that bridging the gap between scientific innovation and market access is crucial for sustainable food systems and improving farmers' incomes, underscoring India's emerging role as a global leader in agricultural science and innovation. sources

Published:
Oct 16 2025, 7 am

SRIJAN boosts support for 38,000 women farmers and FPCs

Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action (SRIJAN), a public charitable trust, is intensifying its efforts to empower women-led Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in rural India, with a new phase of its project supported by the Walmart Foundation. Following the success of its initial phase, which benefited over 24,000 women farmers, the second phase aims to reach 38,000 women across nineteen FPCs in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. During Phase I, the turnover of twelve FPCs surged by over 190%, and the average annual income of shareholders increased by ₹30,000. Women now make up 88% of the expanded shareholder base, which grew from 6,614 to 24,328. The initiative also established 34 Village Level Collection Centers, directly procuring 448 metric tonnes of produce from women farmers. The upcoming phase will focus on enhancing governance, empowering women leaders, and ensuring the sustainability of FPC operations. sources

Published:
Oct 15 2025, 9 pm

Cisco, Social Alpha launch Krishi Mangal 3.0 for agri-tech startups

Cisco India CSR and Social Alpha have launched the third edition of their accelerator programme, Krishi Mangal 3.0, aimed at fostering farmer-centric innovations. Seven startups have been selected to enhance their operations, focusing on climate resilience and income security to boost agricultural productivity and profitability. Each startup will receive milestone-based funding of up to ₹50 lakh, with the potential for an additional ₹2 crore, enabling them to engage with over 200,000 farmers and 150 farmer producer organisations across multiple states. The programme supports innovations leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT, and renewable technologies to tackle issues like soil degradation and supply chain inefficiencies. Notable participants include Ekosight Technologies and Rudra Solar Energy. Ganesh Neelam, Co-Founder of Social Alpha, emphasized the need for innovative solutions to help smallholder farmers navigate challenges exacerbated by climate change and economic pressures. sources

Published:
Oct 15 2025, 9 pm

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