Indian refiners shift to soyoil in May as palm oil loses price advantage
India's edible oil imports increased in May, driven by a surge in soyoil purchases. Palm oil imports saw a slight rise but remained below average. Refiners favored soyoil as its price advantage over palm oil narrowed. Cooking gas shortages also impacted palm oil demand from bulk consumers. Overall edible oil imports reached 1.3 million tons.
A 3 lakh crore rain check? Indias monsoon now comes with a Hormuz fine print
Indias fertiliser supply chain is under strain as the West Asia conflict disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for imports. The crisis comes just as India faces a below-normal monsoon forecast, with the IMD projecting rainfall at 90% of the long-term average and a 92% probability of El Nio conditions, raising concerns over crop output and food inflation.
Open MSP procurement, storage to private sector: StarAgri CEO
StarAgri CEO Amith Agarwal advocates a bigger private-sector role in MSP procurement and storage to boost efficiency, warehousing capacity, and agri supply chains.
Cotton prices down 3% on import duty suspension, may slide more
India has suspended its 11% import duty on cotton until October. This move has immediately reversed the recent rally in cotton prices, with both bales and yarn seeing a drop. Industry insiders expect further price decreases in the coming days. This decision aims to ease prices, prevent hoarding, and boost the competitiveness of Indian textile exports.
India trims fertiliser demand for kharif season as weak monsoon outlook triggers reassessment
In anticipation of the upcoming sowing season, India is making strategic changes by reducing its fertilizer requirements due to forecasts of insufficient monsoon rainfall. This adjustment means lower demand for urea and DAP, while farmers are encouraged to minimize their reliance on chemical fertilizers, promoting better soil health.
Government raises onion buffer stock purchase price 24% to Rs 15.80/kg
The government has set a higher onion procurement price at Rs 15.80 per kg, a step designed to uplift farmers and regulate market rates effectively. Concurrently, the buffer stock of pulses has hit an impressive 43 lakh tonnes, stemming from robust local production that minimizes the need for foreign imports.
Weather swings, monsoon risks, and the growing threat to mango, apple crops
The agriculture industry has evolved historically through adaptation and resilience, and now it is time to speed up this transformation, empowering Indian fruit growers to be more enterprising to produce quality horticultural crops against mounting climatic aberrations.
Beyond rice, wheat: Why India must revive native orphan crops for protein security
India can boost nutrition security, cut import dependence, and build a global smart protein industry by scaling climate-resilient indigenous crops, say experts.
Onion farmers seek 10,000 crore revival package, stable export policy from Centre
Bharat Dighole, founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Farmers Association, said that farmers have suffered huge losses over the years due to what he termed flawed export policies, spurious seeds, storage losses and other factors
Onion farmers seek Rs 10,000 crore revival package, stable export policy from Centre
Maharashtra onion farmers are facing a severe financial crisis. They are urging the central government for a special Rs 10,000 crore revival package. Farmers have suffered significant losses due to export bans, price crashes, and natural calamities. The association seeks direct financial assistance and policy changes to support growers and the rural economy.
Telangana procured 60 LMT paddy so far, 60% of Indias total procurement: Uttam
Telangana Civil Supplies Minister says while rice production in Telangana is growing, the quantity of rice being accepted by the Centre through FCI is being reduced
India becomes world's largest rice producer
Rice production is estimated at a record 154.02 mt in the 2025-26 crop year, up from 150.18 mt a year earlier, according to the third advance estimates released by the agriculture ministry.
Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra also said crop diversification, agricultural self-reliance, and sustainability have become the govt's core priorities, urging States to align their plans accordingly
Too hot to handle: Heatwave in North India slows textile, rice supply chains
Northern India's blistering heatwaves are wreaking havoc on vital industries, significantly hampering the trade of Basmati rice and textile production in the Delhi-NCR region. Workers face unbearable temperatures, resulting in increased absenteeism and interruptions in manufacturing processes. Additionally, erratic power supply complicates timely export shipments.
Can ethanol save sugar sector? ET Conversation with DG ISMA
Wheat output likely to rise by 2.29% to 120.65 mn tons for 2025-26
India's wheat output is set for a significant increase. Production is projected to reach 120.65 million tonnes in the 2025-26 crop year. This rise is expected despite some localized damage from unseasonal weather. Overall foodgrain production is also forecast to grow. The agriculture ministry confirms stable and resilient wheat production.
India rice exports decline as Iran war curbs basmati shipments to Gulf
India's rice exports saw a slight dip in the first four months of 2026. Shipments of premium basmati rice to Gulf markets faced disruptions. This decline impacts Indian prices, which have already fallen. Non-basmati rice exports showed a small increase. Delays in transit due to the ongoing conflict are affecting new deals.
Bayer CropScience Q4 net profit rises 13% on higher revenues
Bayer CropScience's profit surged 13% in the March quarter and 21% for the full fiscal year.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel approved sugarcane prices paid by cooperative societies to farmers. This decision benefits over two lakh farmers and cooperative societies by an estimated Rs. 1,500 crore. The move addresses past Income Tax demands. A Union Ministry of Cooperation amendment in 2023 enabled this State Government approval strengthening the cooperative sector and farmer interests.
AIADMK, BJP criticise Tamil Nadu government over crop loan waiver announcement
Mr. Palaniswami said the TVK, in its election manifesto, assured to completely waive off loans of farmers who held up to 5 acre of land. But now, instead of using land as the criterion, the government has considered money as the yardstick.
India's prized Alphonso mango crop ruined by weather
A sharp difference in day and nighttime temperatures in December and January hurt flowering and fruit setting, while hotter than usual weather in April and May, probably due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, then spoiled the fruits themselves, an official said.
Onion farmers demand 1500 per quintal compensation, procure onions at 25 per kg
The farmers claimed that they are struggling to recover the production cost of onions and demanded a 1,500-per-quintal compensation for farmers who sold their yields at the lowest price
