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A significant western disturbance has brought a shift in weather patterns across India, with storm clouds forming over the South Peninsula and cooler temperatures replacing heat in Central India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts rough weather, including isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds across various regions over the next few days. Heavy rainfall has already impacted Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of the Northeast, while hailstorms have been reported in several states. West India remains the hottest region but is expected to see some relief with upcoming rain. The forecast indicates widespread moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in North-West India, with potential hailstorms in Himachal Pradesh. The South Peninsula and East-Central India are also set for significant rainfall, with isolated heavy falls anticipated in Assam and Meghalaya. Overall, a stormy weather pattern is expected to persist across the country. 
Published: May 02 2025, 6 pmeznews.inParag Milk Foods Ltd has reported a remarkable 167% increase in net profits for Q4 FY25, reaching ₹26 crore compared to ₹10 crore in the same period last year, driven by a 16% rise in quarterly revenues to ₹918 crore. For the fiscal year ending March 2025, net profit rose by 31% to ₹119 crore, with total income increasing by 9% to ₹3,432 crore. The growth was fueled by a 17% volume increase in key categories like ghee, cheese, and paneer, while EBITDA surged 30% year-on-year, enhancing margins from 7.2% to 8.5%. Chairman Devendra Shah highlighted the company's commitment to sustainable growth and brand equity through strategic investments and improved governance. Notably, Parag's flagship products, "Gowardhan Ghee" and "Go Cheese," hold significant market shares of 22% and 35%, respectively, while the new Avvatar brand in whey protein and sports nutrition saw a robust 41% growth.
Published: May 03 2025, 10 ameznews.inKolkata Metro officials announced on Saturday that the Purple Line will see an increase in train services, reducing the wait time between trains from 50 minutes to just 22 minutes. Currently operational between Joka and Majerhat in the city's south-western region, the line is under construction to extend to Esplanade, where it will connect with the Blue and Green Lines, integrating it into the broader metro network. Starting Monday, a total of 40 services will run on the Joka-Majerhat section, a significant increase from the previous 18 services. However, the Purple Line will remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays. This enhancement aims to improve commuter convenience and efficiency within Kolkata's public transport system.
Published: May 03 2025, 10 ameznews.inBarley, often overlooked in agricultural discussions, is being urged for promotion due to its significant health benefits and lower resource requirements compared to wheat. With its cultivation area in India plummeting from 3.20 million hectares in 1960-61 to just 0.54 million hectares in 2021-22, experts advocate for government policies to incorporate barley into mid-day meal programs, potentially saving costs while enhancing nutrition for schoolchildren. Barley boasts higher protein, fiber, and essential nutrients than both wheat and rice, making it a superior dietary choice, particularly for the diabetic population due to its low glycemic index. Additionally, its unique components, such as beta-glucan, support insulin effectiveness and gut health. The crop's versatility allows for various culinary applications, from bread to traditional drinks, positioning barley as a vital alternative for improving public health and diversifying agricultural practices in India.
Published: May 03 2025, 9 ameznews.inUS tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are set to increase costs for American consumers, affecting everything from imported cars to food prices. With the US relying on imports for 16% of its food supply—particularly fresh produce from Mexico—grocery bills are expected to rise significantly. This price surge will also impact global markets, particularly in developing countries where food security is already precarious. Research indicates that disruptions in US markets can lead to immediate price hikes in local staples like maize, exacerbating food insecurity in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, tariffs on agricultural products, including fertilisers, threaten to increase global production costs, further straining food systems in countries like Brazil and Nigeria. Experts suggest that protecting essential agricultural imports from tariffs and investing in resilient farming practices are crucial to mitigate these effects and prevent a deepening global food crisis.
Published: May 03 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new regulations aimed at enhancing food safety by restricting the manufacturing of certain high-risk products, including infant food, sweetened condensed milk, and packaged drinking water, to operators holding state or central licenses. Currently, manufacturers can operate under FSSAI registration, which entails fewer compliance obligations. However, the FSSAI's consultation paper suggests transitioning existing registered companies to mandatory licensing to ensure better safety standards. This move follows the government's 2024 decision to eliminate the requirement for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for these products. The FSSAI plans to prohibit new registrations and renewals for the specified products, allowing a six-month transition period for over 11,000 affected food business operators to comply with the new licensing requirements. Stakeholder feedback is being sought on this proposal, which aims to strengthen the compliance ecosystem in the food industry.
Published: May 02 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIndia's rice procurement has reached 471.94 lakh tonnes (lt) as of April 2025, slightly up from 471.14 lt, including over 11 lt from the Rabi crop. Despite this high figure, it falls short of the buffer norm of 135.8 lt and the annual requirement of approximately 400 lt for public distribution and welfare schemes. However, when considering carryover stocks, the total procurement exceeds needs, potentially pressuring the government to sell excess rice through open market sales and for ethanol production. As of April 1, the Central Pool held 382.09 lt of rice and 371.51 lt of paddy, up from last year. Kharif crop procurement reached 686.10 lt, slightly lower than 687.09 lt last year, with record harvests of 136.44 million tonnes expected. Procurement has concluded in several states, with ongoing efforts in West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, and Tripura, as the government aims to buy 7 million tonnes of Rabi rice.
Published: May 02 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia and the European Union (EU) are optimistic about concluding their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations by the end of 2025, as highlighted in a recent meeting between Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels. The discussions emphasized the need to address non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory hurdles and quality norms, which currently impede Indian exporters despite lower average tariffs in the EU. Both sides agreed that meaningful progress requires equal attention to these barriers alongside tariff reductions. The commitment to expedite negotiations builds on strategic directives from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The FTA talks, which began in 2007 but stalled in 2013, resumed in June 2022, with both parties expressing hope that the agreement will enhance market access, regulatory cooperation, and foster innovation and competitiveness.
Published: May 02 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAt a fisheries round-table held at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), KN Raghavan, Secretary General of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), emphasized the urgent need to revamp Kerala's aquaculture sector to address declining seafood exports. The event, organized by the VIS Group as a precursor to the International Fisheries Tech Expo 2025, gathered stakeholders to discuss the challenges facing Kerala's fisheries, which historically led India's seafood exports but now struggles against competition from states like Andhra Pradesh. Raghavan highlighted issues such as climate change, juvenile fishing, and trade restrictions, calling for a strategic policy shift to promote sustainable aquaculture. A report from the Marine Products Export Development Authority revealed that while Kerala contributed significantly to India's marine fish production, its aquaculture shrimp output remains low compared to Andhra Pradesh. The round-table aimed to align policy discussions with practical solutions to enhance the state's fisheries sector.
Published: May 02 2025, 8 pmeznews.inTelangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has called for an increase in the reservation cap to 50% following the upcoming caste census, which the NDA government has agreed to conduct nationwide. This census aims to provide crucial data on the numerical strength of various caste groups, which has been largely absent except for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Experts, including Bhangya Bhukya from the University of Hyderabad, emphasize that this data will help assess the socio-economic status of different castes, enabling targeted development initiatives. Reddy highlighted the need for the Union government to consider regional caste variations, citing examples from Telangana and neighboring states. Activists like Kanneganti Ravi advocate for budget allocations and political representation based on caste demographics. The effective use of this data, combined with other socio-economic indicators, is seen as vital for promoting social equity and mobility in India.
Published: May 02 2025, 6 pmeznews.inBayer is set to expand its Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) in India, targeting over 16,000 farmers this year to promote regenerative agriculture in basmati rice production. Launched in 2020, the SMI has already seen success, with 2,500 farmers adopting practices that improved soil health, increased yields by up to 9%, and boosted revenues by 20% for those selling in export markets. The initiative, which covers 12,000 hectares across Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, has also reduced water usage by approximately 6% through techniques like alternate wetting and drying. Bayer plans to introduce affordable mechanisation tools and expand IoT sensor pilots to enhance productivity and water management. The initiative will focus on collecting data on soil health and carbon emissions to refine its solutions. Natasha Santos, Bayer's Head of Sustainability, emphasized the initiative's dual focus on sustainability and profitability, aiming to foster a resilient agricultural ecosystem.
Published: May 02 2025, 7 pm
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