The Economic Times

The Fertiliser Association of India seeks higher subsidy rates for the upcoming Kharif season. Raw material prices have significantly increased, impacting domestic fertiliser production viability. Industry leaders met to review the Middle East crisis's effect on key input costs. Existing subsidy rates have not kept pace with the changed cost environment. Maintaining uninterrupted domestic production is critical for ensuring adequate stock buildup.

The government plans to resume selling subsidized Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice soon. This initiative aims to provide staples at lower prices before the festival season. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has allocated significant quantities of wheat and rice for this purpose. Bharat Rice will be priced at 35 per kg initially, with a slight increase later.

In a special report, Wall Street brokerage Goldman Sachs said the labour market impacts of gen-AI are expected to be uneven and it looks gen-AI as a medium-term positive for India's growth outlook.

Experts say the next few weeks of monsoon will decide if the acreage shortfall stays manageable or turns into a bigger supply and price risk for pulses.

The government has imposed nationwide stock limits on private sugar traders. These restrictions will be in force from August 1 to November 30. Dealers cannot hold more than 4,000 quintals of sugar at any single location. A quota of 2.25 million tonnes of sugar has been announced for August. Physical verification of stocks with sugar mills will occur during August 1-14.

The study identified climatic conditions that support beneficial microbial activity and enzyme functions. Findings established soil microbial communities as sensitive indicators of environmental change and sustainable tea production. This work will support climate-resilient tea production by improving soil health monitoring.

The Centre has imposed stock holding limits on sugar dealers nationwide from August 1 to November 30. This measure aims to curb hoarding and speculative trading, ensuring adequate domestic availability. The government will closely monitor market activities and take further steps if needed. Sugar prices have climbed to record highs recently, prompting government intervention. Genuine trade and distribution activities will continue without disruption during this period.

India's rice exports grew five percent in early 2026, driven by non-basmati shipments. Higher demand from African nations boosted non-basmati rice exports significantly. Basmati rice exports saw a decline due to trade disruptions with Gulf markets. Corn exports surged four hundred percent, and wheat exports also increased substantially. These export trends ensure affordable supplies for many global buyers.

A revival in monsoon rains has accelerated the sowing of key summer crops across India, helping farmers recover from an early-season slowdown caused by delayed and below-normal rainfall. The sowing gap has narrowed to less than 5%, with rice, soybean and cotton planting picking up after widespread July rains, although some regions continue to face significant rainfall deficits.

Erratic rainfall is reshaping India's kharif sowing patterns this season. Farmers are shifting acreage from staples to hardy crops and vegetables. Sunflower acreage has jumped significantly, and other crops like sesamum have also risen. Seed companies report increased demand for short-duration vegetables and onion seeds. Sweet corn has also emerged as another preferred crop for farmers.

According to an official statement, the minister chaired a virtual review meeting to assess the utilisation of funds released under the RKVY and to consider the issuance of the Second Installment (Second Mother Sanction) to the Government of Maharashtra.

The government is currently investigating ways to protect the interests of FCV tobacco farmers. On July 25, a ministry team traveled to Andhra Pradesh to review the ongoing market climate. Their discussions emphasized strategies to support growers while ensuring the industry's stability. Additional Secretary Nitin Kumar Yadav reassured farmers about ongoing oversight, underscoring the government's commitment to considering effective protective measures.

According to a statement by the Agriculture Ministry on Sunday, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), in collaboration with ICAR, and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), organised a high-level roundtable on Reforms in Regulations and Approval of Genetically Modified (GM) and Genome-Edited (GE) Crop Plants.

Scorching temperatures across Europe also raise concerns over potential crop losses. This situation could lift costs for staples like bread and cooking oil.

A study finds conservation agriculture with drip irrigation can boost wheat protein content by up to 12% while improving yield and resource efficiency.

India's import bill for key pulses significantly decreased in FY26 due to robust domestic production. Lower global prices and import curbs also contributed to this substantial reduction. Exports of certain pulses, like Kabuli chana, saw a notable increase during the same period. This shift reflects India's growing self-sufficiency and improved market position for these commodities. Domestic policies and strong harvests have bolstered India's pulse sector performance.

India must transition agriculture towards income generation, emphasizing crop diversification and market reforms, said S Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).

Lahiri stressed the need for greater adoption of science and technology, noting that productivity per acre for several Indian crops remains significantly below global benchmarks.

Chirag Paswan said India must now shift from food self-reliance to value addition through processing, infrastructure, innovation and better farmer market access.

Fertiliser vessels are stranded at Indian ports, hindering crop nutrient supplies. Sowing has accelerated after rainfall revival, increasing demand for timely distribution. Port congestion and supply chain issues are delaying crucial fertiliser dispatches. West Asia crisis and rerouting of vessels contribute to these significant delays. Industry executives express concerns over potential disruptions to the kharif sowing season.

India's Kharif sowing gap narrowed significantly last week. This progress occurred despite a widening cumulative rainfall deficit over recent weeks. Rice acreage has nearly matched last year's pace, leading the recovery. Other crops like pulses and oilseeds also saw their shortfalls decrease. Improved rainfall is forecast for East and Central India in the coming weeks.

Protein inflation was 4.6% in May and 2.6% in January, it showed. Inflation in vegetarian protein sources also gathered pace, rising to 3.5% in June from 2.7% in May, after remaining flat in January.

Achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 requires agriculture to move beyond production towards value addition, food processing, exports, bio-based industries, carbon markets, and rural entrepreneurship.

Dr Reddy's Foundation is expanding its soil testing operations significantly. The Hyderabad lab aims to process one lakh samples before the next Rabi season. This initiative addresses concerns about depleting soil health and government scheme implementation gaps. The foundation also partners with a startup for biological soil amendments. Collaboration with ICAR-IISS will build a digital soil health repository and advanced advisories.

Indias southwest monsoon has bounced back after a weak June, cutting the rainfall deficit and boosting kharif prospects. Experts caution, however, that the El Nino risk isnt over.

Farmers in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts are shifting to water-saving rice farming techniques. Facing potential El Nino impacts, cultivators are embracing Direct Seeded Rice and Alternate Wetting and Drying. These methods significantly reduce water usage and labor costs. The Dr Reddy's Foundation is actively promoting these changes, alongside soil health improvements, to ensure sustainable agriculture in the region.