Agriculture News

Plight of Sholavandan betel leaf farmers miserable as gale storms hit fields

The plight of the farmers’ was miserable that most of them are facing ‘red’ and were unable to stop the rising losses due to multiple factors

Assam ships first legal agarwood chips to West Asia

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates receive the consignment, unlocking an industrial potential of ₹50,000 crore

Government says ample stock of fertilizers to meet Kharif demand; no need for panic buying

An official said the Central and State governments are making efforts to promote the balanced use of fertilizers and curb excessive use

Traders begin wheat exports after four-year hiatus on bumper crop

“Consumer goods conglomerate ITC ​has started ‌loading 22,000 metric tonnes of wheat at the western port of ‌Kandla for shipment to the ​United Arab Emirates,” sources said

Inside Andhra’s millet push that is turning women into entrepreneurs

Across Andhra Pradesh, a government initiative is building women-led millet enterprises that link farms, kitchens and local markets into viable livelihoods

Tea bodies urge PM Modi to allow producers freedom to choose mode of sale

Four tea organisations from Assam and West Bengal say mandatory auction rules raise costs and threaten viability of tea producers

Tapping fisheries in reservoirs

The rise in the country’s fish production has been made possible by the application of cage culture technology

Tea body seeks clarity on Assam land transfer policy for plantation workers

Two months ahead of the elections, the BJP-led government amended a law to grant legal land rights to 3.5 lakh families of plantation workers living in the labour lines of more than 800 tea estates

Expedite work on farmer IDs, ensure supply of fertilisers: Agriculture Minister to officials

The Minister asked the officers to play a proactive role during times of crisis.

How Iran war could create ‘fertilizer shock’ – often ignored global risk to food prices, farming

Most shipping companies have suspended journeys through the Strait of Hormuz

Focus on high-value crops, fisheries, PM Modi urges farmers, agri-investors

Rent a Tree, an agri-startup from Kochi, provides mango trees for lease across India

Rent a Tree manages 250 acres of Alphonso mango farms in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, catering to over 160 customers with rentals starting at ₹10,300

Centre increases MSP for jute; farmers in West Bengal, Assam to benefit

The decision will not only boost jute production and quality, but will also increase the income of farmers, says Modi

Cotton farmers oppose Goyal’s U.S. import remarks, warn of price crash

Farm bodies say zero-tariff raw cotton import from the U.S. will severely affect domestic price and devastate growers; several farmer bodies, particularly those working among cotton farmers, have decided to launch protests

Rose price in domestic market in Hosur surpasses export market this Valentine’s Day

India will stop importing fruits, vegetables, flowers: Union Minister Chouhan

The Union Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare noted that India had already made significant progress, calling current production levels "historic”.

Over 9% rise in Home Ministry budget; Intelligence Bureau sees enhanced allocation

The upcoming Population Census 2027 has been allocated ₹6,000 crore; the second phase of Vibrant Villages Programme gets ₹300 crore

Economic Survey points to decrease in agricultural growth in 2025-26

Average annual growth rate over last five years was 4.4% but the second quarter of current financial year saw 3.5% growth, which is less than the average

Centre seeks public comments on draft Pesticides Management Bill to replace 1968 Act

The legislation aims to replace the 57-year-old Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Insecticides Rules, 1971, with enhanced penalties for violations.

Oppose land distribution to workers, lose incentives: Assam CM to tea planters

The State government brought legislation to guarantee “land protection” for 3.33 lakh tea plantation worker families across 825 estates

Gujarat tops in okra production

In 2024–25, okra cultivation expanded across 12 districts of Saurashtra and Kutch, covering around 14,000 hectares and yielding close to 1.5 lakh tonnes

What qualifies as ‘tea’? FSSAI clarifies

The food safety regulatory body issued a clarification saying a beverage qualifies to be tea only if it is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis

Watch: Indian rice exporters not worried about US’s high tariff threats

Indian rice exporters remain unfazed after the United States threatened to impose higher tariffs on Indian rice. Exporters say the move is unlikely to affect their business, as shipments to the US make up only a tiny fraction of India’s overall rice exports. However, rice growers in Haryana feel that higher tariff by US would make them competitive weaker in the global market at a time when farmers in any case were facing a lot of problems.

Gujarat farmer distress: Where cotton clouds hang heavy

Following heavy rainfall in October and the subsequent drop in the price of cotton, six farmers have died by suicide in Gujarat. The Union government’s decision to allow duty-free cotton imports has only added to their woes. A.M. Jigeesh reports on how farmers in Gujarat’s cotton belt are calling for government intervention

Assam tea planters’ body sets conditions to part with land for labourers

The Consultative Committee of Planters’ Associations seeks relief from providing welfare facilities and adequate compensation for land to be acquired once the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is enacted

India’s fisheries and aquaculture, its promising course

The FAO is committed to guiding India’s Blue Revolution toward a resilient and inclusive future

Time to sort out India’s cereal mess

It is a case of paradoxes — India has huge stocks of rice, and also imports large quantities of pulses and oilseeds despite being one of the world’s largest producers

Centre suspends over 4,000 fertiliser distributor licences on hoarding charges

The Union Department of Fertilisers said it conducted a comprehensive drive with the Union Agriculture Ministry to protect farmer interests and secure the national fertiliser supply chain

India’s horticulture sector to get hi-tech boost with Dutch initiative for pesticide-free food production in high-end green houses

This initiative focuses on technologies and practices that help produce food crops in a climate resilient manner

Trouble in ‘soy State’: Madhya Pradesh soybean farmers lose interest over multiple factors

Madhya Pradesh is India’s largest soybean producer, but young farmers are losing interest in farming, facing key issues such as improper implementation of minimum support price, seed quality, input cost and the possibility of the import of soybean and soybean meal from the United States. A.M. Jigeesh reports on a brewing crisis