The Centre has procured 1.31 lakh tonnes of tur under the Price Support Scheme for the 2024-25 Kharif season, benefiting over 89,000 farmers across five states. Procurement will commence soon in other regions, with approvals for masur and urad as well. This initiative aims for self-sufficiency in pulses by 2029.

Coromandel International has acquired a controlling 53% stake in Nagarjuna Agrichem for 820 crore. The deal, which includes an open offer for an additional 26% stake, aims to enhance Coromandel's agricultural nutrients and crop protection business through synergies with NACL's manufacturing capabilities and global clientele.

Indian sugar mills are currently exporting sugar but are hesitant to sign new contracts due to rising domestic sugar prices. India allowed sugar exports this year to help mills clear surplus stocks. Despite current slow exports, Indian mills are expected to fulfill the 1 million tons export quota by September.

India's sugar output for the 2024/25 marketing year is projected to fall short of consumption for the first time in eight years due to reduced sugarcane supplies in key states. Production is expected to drop to 25.8 million metric tons, while consumption is estimated at 29 million tons.

The Assam Budget 2025-26 has been praised for its focus on the tea industry and women's empowerment. Key initiatives include a tax holiday on agricultural income, infrastructure improvements, and financial support for tea workers. For women, the budget includes increased assistance, interest-free loans, and improved healthcare.

Wheat production is projected to rise by 2% to a record 1,154.30 lakh tonnes for the 2024-25 rabi season, driven by higher acreage. The Agriculture Ministry's Second Advance Estimates also forecast increases in kharif and rabi rice production, as well as notable rises in the output of groundnut, soyabean, rapeseed & mustard, cotton, and sugarcane.

India has achieved record rice, wheat, and maize production in the 2024-25 kharif season, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare's second advance estimates. Kharif foodgrains production reached 1,663.91 lakh tonnes, while rabi foodgrains amounted to 1,645.27 lakh tonnes. These estimates provide significant insights into the country's agricultural output for major crops.

SOPA has requested the government to protect the interests of the Indian soybean industry amid ongoing India-USA trade negotiations. They suggest maintaining current import duties on soybean products and exploring concessional duty arrangements for value-added soy products. Additionally, they emphasized on prioritizing negotiations to reduce the countervailing duty imposed by the US on Indian organic soybean meal.

The Indian government has imposed a 10 per cent import duty on lentils, effective from March 8, to boost domestic supply. Additionally, the duty-free import of yellow peas has been extended until May 31. Previously, India allowed duty-free import of lentils and imported 30 lakh tonnes of yellow peas in 2024.

A nationwide probe by the income tax department is investigating entities declaring agricultural income of 50 lakh or more without owning any land. Cases of unrealistic farm income per acre are also being scrutinized for tax evasion, with potential penalties for wrongful claims.

India's wheat crop is likely to be adversely affected by anticipated above-normal temperatures from March through May 2025, according to the IMD. The upcoming heat waves during a critical grain formation stage could lead to lower yields, impacting inflation and diminishing government wheat stocks, which could exacerbate food inflation concerns.

GCC has achieved organic certification for Araku coffee, facilitating entry into European markets and collaboration with Tata Consumer Products for marketing and sales. The certification process, ongoing since 2019, now involves 2,600 tribal farmers, ensuring increased and fair pricing for their organic produce.

Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar, met Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi to discuss bolstering agricultural cooperation. They focused on Ministerial visits, the impact of Centers of Excellence across states, and the Prime Minister's vision for recycling sewage water for agriculture. Both sides emphasized commitment to strengthening Indo-Israel agricultural innovation, technologies, and the horticulture sector.

Prices of chana and tur have dropped by about 25% in two months, falling below the minimum support prices due to duty-free imports and increased local crop arrivals. While wholesale prices of pulses have decreased significantly, retail prices have not seen a proportional decline. Retail chana dal prices fell 4.3% and tur dal prices dropped 12%.

The finance ministry announced that the amount under operative Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts has more than doubled from 4.26 lakh crore in March 2014 to 10.05 lakh crore in December 2024. This growth reflects increased credit access in agriculture and reduced reliance on non-institutional credit.