Agriculture News

March 2026: In a significant push to modernise India’s horticulture sector, the Centre has approved a ₹200-crore “Banana Cluster” project in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, a region widely known as the country’s “banana hub.” The initiative, announced by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is being seen as a transformative step aimed at boosting farmer incomes,

Global efforts to close gender gaps in agrifood systems could significantly reduce food insecurity and boost economic growth, according to recent findings by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A newly highlighted FAO analysis shows that eliminating disparities in farm productivity and wages between men and women could increase global GDP by around 1% while

Department of Agriculture launches mega oil palm plantation drive The Department of Agriculture has launched a mega oil palm plantation drive as part of the Centre’s broader push to increase domestic edible-oil production and reduce dependence on imports. The campaign is being implemented under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), which

Unseasonal rains and hailstorms across several parts of India have prompted the Centre to step in, with the Agriculture Ministry conducting a comprehensive review to assess crop damage and coordinate relief measures. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level meeting with officials, focusing on the impact of adverse weather on standing and harvest-ready

Fertilizer prices are rising sharply across global markets as geopolitical tensions disrupt the supply of nitrogen-based inputs, creating fresh uncertainty for farmers ahead of key planting seasons. According to a report by Brownfield Ag News, agricultural economist David Widmar of Agricultural Economic Insights said prices for nitrogen fertilizers, particularly urea, have surged by more than

Maharashtra’s aquaculture sector has received a significant financial and policy boost, with projects worth ₹1,627 crore approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, marking a major push toward strengthening the state’s “Blue Revolution.” According to official data, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has sanctioned ₹1,626.99 crore for the state over

Solugen, a US-based chemicals and materials startup, has secured fresh funding of about $36 million to accelerate the production of sustainable nitrogen fertilizers, according to a recent AgriFood Signals update by AgFunderNews. The investment highlights growing momentum behind alternative fertilizer technologies aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of conventional nitrogen inputs. Traditional nitrogen fertilizers are

India is set to place food security and agriculture at the centre of its agenda at the upcoming ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), reflecting its long-standing concerns over safeguarding farmers and ensuring stable food distribution systems. According to officials, New Delhi will strongly push for a permanent solution on public stockholding programmes

The Telangana government on Friday presented a ₹3.24 lakh crore Budget for 2026–27, maintaining largely unchanged allocations for key sectors such as agriculture, irrigation, and energy, even as it increased the overall outlay compared to the previous year. Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka allocated about ₹23,179 crore to agriculture, ₹22,615 crore to irrigation, and ₹21,285

New Delhi, March 20: Adoption of nano-fertilisers in India is witnessing a sharp surge, driven by government policy support and parallel investments in drone-led agricultural transformation, according to official data released on Friday. Cumulative sales of nano-fertilisers have reached over 1,593 lakh bottles (500 ml each) since their introduction, reflecting growing farmer acceptance of the

A new study has reinforced growing scientific consensus that organic agriculture can significantly improve pollinator health, offering fresh evidence that builds on years of ecological research. According to the study, organic farming systems support higher populations of bees and other pollinating insects compared to conventional agriculture. Researchers found that the absence of synthetic pesticides and

No Quick Fix for Rising Farm Input Costs Farmers across the globe are grappling with persistently high input costs, with experts warning that there is no immediate relief in sight. A combination of geopolitical tensions, volatile energy markets, and structural supply constraints continues to push up the prices of key agricultural inputs such as fertilizers,

Agriculture ERP Market Projected for Double-Digit Growth The global agriculture Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) market is poised for robust expansion, with industry reports projecting double-digit growth over the coming years as digital transformation accelerates across the farming sector. According to recent market analyses, the agriculture ERP market is expected to grow at a compound annual

Govt accelerating irrigation projects The Centre has stepped up efforts to modernise India’s farm sector by accelerating irrigation projects, promoting digital agriculture and tightening regulation of agricultural inputs, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in Parliament. Replying to a discussion in the Lok Sabha, the minister highlighted that long-pending irrigation and river-linking projects are

Big bets, weak ground: Why AI in Indian agriculture needs stronger data, oversight India is making ambitious investments in artificial intelligence (AI) for agriculture, but experts warn that weak data systems and limited regulatory oversight could undermine its potential impact. With agriculture contributing nearly 16–18% of GDP and employing over 40% of the workforce, AI

Consider ROI Before Applying Fungicides Farmers are being advised to carefully evaluate the return on investment (ROI) before applying fungicides this growing season, according to a recent report by Morning Ag Clips. Experts caution that routine or preventive spraying without assessing actual disease risk may not always deliver economic benefits. Agronomists emphasize that fungicides are

Top Fertilizer and Agriculture Stocks A recent analysis by Seeking Alpha highlights key fertilizer and agriculture stocks gaining investor attention amid volatile global supply conditions and rising commodity prices. The report identifies Intrepid Potash, Inc. (IPI) as one of the top-rated fertilizer stocks, earning a strong quantitative rating driven by momentum and exposure to potash

Majority of employment creation in agriculture A recent report highlighted by The Hindu has revealed that a majority of employment generation in India continues to come from the agriculture sector, underscoring the economy’s persistent dependence on farming for livelihoods. According to the report, despite steady economic growth and expansion in sectors such as services and

Govt increases budget for Agriculture & Farmers The Union Government has significantly increased the budget allocation for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare over the years, reaching ₹1,27,290 crore for the financial year 2025–26. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, in

The ongoing war involving Iran has triggered a sharp rise in global fertilizer prices, placing significant financial strain on farmers in South Carolina and across the United States during the crucial spring planting season. The conflict has disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route that handles a large share of the

Brussels, March 17, 2026: Climate-resilient agriculture could play a crucial role in stabilising and even improving farmers’ incomes across Europe, according to a new briefing released by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report highlights that European farming is increasingly under pressure from climate change, soil degradation and rising input costs such as fertilisers, energy

Climate-resilient agriculture may boost farmers’ incomes: European Environment Agency The European Environment Agency (EEA) has highlighted that adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices could help stabilise and even improve farmers’ incomes across Europe, while also strengthening food security and environmental sustainability. In a briefing released on March 17, 2026, the agency noted that Europe’s farming sector is

Efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector and ensure effective implementation of farmer welfare schemes on the ground have gained momentum across India, with governments emphasizing last-mile delivery and accountability. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently emphasised that the effective implementation of schemes at the ground level is the government’s top priority, directing officials to