eznews.inThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has urged agricultural universities in India to adopt global best practices to enhance educational quality and address farmers' challenges. In a policy paper, ICAR highlighted the need for increased investment in research and education, emphasizing the importance of aligning with international standards to meet the evolving demands of the agricultural sector. Key recommendations include promoting entrepreneurship, fostering collaborations, and focusing on industry-relevant research and technology commercialization. The paper identifies issues such as outdated curricula and inadequate infrastructure as barriers to quality education. ICAR advocates for a phased implementation of reforms, including flexible student transfer, interdisciplinary approaches, and innovative teaching methods, to align with the National Education Policy 2020. By adopting these practices, ICAR believes agricultural universities can empower rural communities, boost farm incomes, and enhance India's food system resilience. 
Published: May 06 2025, 1 pmeznews.inMoody's Ratings has revised India's GDP growth forecast for 2025 down to 6.3% from 6.5%, citing global economic slowdowns driven by US policy uncertainty and trade restrictions. In its Global Macro Outlook, Moody's highlighted geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, as potential risks to growth. While maintaining a 6.5% projection for 2026, the agency noted that rising costs for investors and businesses could hinder economic activity. Global growth projections have also been lowered for the US and China, with the US expected to grow by just 1% in 2025, and China at 3.8%. Moody's emphasized that ongoing trade tensions and financial market volatility could further dampen global trade and investment, impacting the G-20 economies. Recent escalations in geopolitical conflicts, including a terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir, underscore the fragility of the current economic landscape.
Published: May 06 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's diesel exports are projected to plummet to their lowest level in over a decade, with around 1.15 million metric tons shipped in April, a significant decline from March's 2.83 million tons. This drop is attributed to Reliance Industries, which reduced refining output for maintenance amid strong domestic demand. The April figures, the lowest since February 2012, have led to tighter supplies in Asia and Europe, pushing spot gasoil premiums to their highest in over three months. Reliance's diesel exports fell to 800,000 tons, while Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals managed to sell only one cargo, focusing instead on domestic sales. Despite expectations of a rebound to nearly 2 million tons in May as Reliance resumes production, maintenance at MRPL's crude unit may limit overall exports. Official export figures for April are set to be released in late May.
Published: May 06 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that the south-west monsoon is expected to advance into the south Andaman Sea, parts of the south-east Bay of Bengal, and the Nicobar Islands by May 13, earlier than usual. This marks the initial phase of the four-month monsoon season, which typically progresses to Sri Lanka and the south-west coast of India, particularly Kerala, in the following weeks. However, an early arrival in the Bay does not guarantee an early onset in Kerala. Global forecasts suggest that western disturbances will remain active over North-West India into the second week of May, potentially delaying the monsoon's progress over mainland India. Meanwhile, models indicate a low-pressure area may develop over the Andaman Sea, with Myanmar's monsoon expected to arrive slightly ahead of schedule between May 16 and June 5. The IMD predicts strengthening south-westerly winds in the Bay from May 13, although the formation of a low-pressure system is uncertain.
Published: May 06 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's solar photovoltaic (PV) market is poised for significant growth, with the supporting component sector, including inverters and batteries, expected to double in value from approximately $3 billion in 2024 to $7 billion by 2029, according to a report by market intelligence firm 1Lattice. This surge, driven by India's ambitious target of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, highlights the critical role of balance of system (BoS) components in the renewable energy transition. Enabling initiatives like PM-KUSUM and the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme are facilitating solar adoption across both rural and urban areas, fostering innovation and investment in the BoS sector. The global BoS market is also projected to grow significantly, from $60 billion in 2024 to $100 billion by 2029. With an expected $250 billion in investments in India's renewable energy sector, the demand for BoS components is set to rise sharply, bolstering local manufacturing and export opportunities.
Published: May 06 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian Institute of Spices Research is set to host a national symposium titled ‘Recent Trends in Omics in Plant Biology’ from May 20 to 22 in Kozhikode, supported by the Department of Biotechnology. The event aims to unite scientists, academicians, research scholars, and industry representatives to discuss advancements in Omics technologies and their applications in plant science and agriculture. Attendees can expect plenary lectures, technical presentations, and panel discussions covering topics such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and the integration of artificial intelligence in plant research. Additionally, a pre-symposium workshop on May 20 will offer hands-on training in various omics tools and data analysis techniques. The symposium is open to professionals from the agri-biotech and bioinformatics sectors, as well as postgraduate and doctoral scholars. For more details, interested participants can visit the official IISR website.
Published: May 06 2025, 12 pmeznews.inJSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of JSW Infrastructure Ltd, has commenced interim commercial operations for bulk cargo at Thoothukudi’s VOC Port following the completion of dredging. The terminal, featuring a draft of 14.20 metres and a quay length of 306 metres, can accommodate vessels up to 95,000 deadweight tonnes and is equipped with two 120-tonne mobile cranes for handling dry-bulk cargo such as coal and limestone. The facility, which reclaimed 11 hectares of land for cargo storage, aims to alleviate congestion caused by the conversion of the previous high-draft berth into a container terminal. A concession agreement signed in August 2024 allows for the mechanisation of North Cargo Berth-III, with a capacity of 7 million tonnes per annum. The project, with a total outlay of ₹677 crore, is expected to enhance operational efficiency while facing challenges from customer concentration and competition from nearby ports.
Published: May 06 2025, 11 ameznews.inJob creation in India’s services sector accelerated in April, marking the 35th consecutive month of workforce growth, according to S&P Global's latest report. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for services rose to 58.7, up from 58.5 in March, driven by a surge in export orders, which grew at their fastest rate since July 2024. The services sector, which constitutes over 54% of the Indian economy, saw companies enhance operational capacity to meet rising client demand. While input prices increased at the slowest pace in six months, firms raised their average selling prices to offset higher costs, leading to improved profit margins. Despite this positive trend, business confidence among service providers dipped to its lowest level in nearly two years, as competition concerns tempered optimism about future growth, according to HSBC's Chief India Economist, Pranjul Bhandari.
Published: May 06 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's airline industry is projected to incur a consolidated loss of approximately ₹7,000 crore (around $800 million) over the next year due to the closure of Pakistan's airspace, according to industry sources. This estimate encompasses increased costs from rerouting flights, technical stops, and other operational adjustments. Air India is expected to bear the brunt of the impact, with provisional losses estimated at ₹5,000 crore, while IndiGo anticipates losses of around ₹1,300 crore. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has requested individual financial impact reports from airlines, which will be reconciled later for a clearer picture of the overall losses. Air India, which relies heavily on international routes, is currently rerouting its North America flights through Vienna and Copenhagen. IndiGo has also adjusted its operations, with some international routes facing cancellations due to the airspace restrictions.
Published: May 06 2025, 11 ameznews.inClimate change is driving rural men to migrate to cities due to declining agricultural yields, according to Eilia Jafar, an expert in climate resilience. She highlighted that the impacts of climate change are severely disrupting global agriculture, leading to increased food insecurity and health complications, particularly for women who make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce but face limited resources and rights. As men leave for urban areas, women are left to manage both farming and household responsibilities, often suffering from malnutrition and reproductive health issues. Jafar noted that while initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Mission Life are making strides in water conservation and ecosystem restoration, access for women remains a challenge. She emphasized the need for equitable government policies and international collaboration, such as the Paris Agreement, to address climate change effectively and promote sustainable practices in agriculture.
Published: May 06 2025, 9 am
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