Prime Minister Announces National Gene Bank to Safeguard India’s Genetic Resources
The announcement was made during a webinar aimed at fostering collaboration between government, industry, academia, and citizens to translate the budget’s transformative announcements into effective outcomes. This new facility will house 1 million germplasm lines, providing crucial conservation support for both public and private sectors.
Government Launches Scheme to Boost Ethanol Production in Cooperative Sugar Mills
The scheme encourages Cooperative Sugar Mills (CSMs) to convert their existing sugarcane-based ethanol plants into multi-feedstock facilities, enabling them to utilize grains like maize and Damaged Food Grains (DFG) for ethanol production.
When Spain Gives You Oranges: India Imposes Conditions of Import
The amendment removes specific import conditions previously applied to all citrus fruits (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, mandarins, etc.) from Spain, specifically regarding the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). This removes the previous options of specific cold treatments or methyl bromide fumigation for all citrus and specifically imposes them only on oranges.
Government Amends Export Norms to Boost Millet-Infused Wheat Flour Exports
The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced amendments to the Standard Input Output Norms (SION) E-136, enabling and regulating the export of “Wheat Flour (Atta) with Millets.” This move aims to promote the export of value-added products and support the inclusion of millets in global food supply chains.
New Kerala CPI Report for Agricultural & Industrial Workers
Kerala’s Consumer Price Index for Dec 2024 shows regional variations in cost of living, impacting wage adjustments for workers under the Minimum Wages Act.
Jute Commissioner Sets Maximum Ex-Factory Prices for Jute Bags Amid Market Regulation
The Jute Commissioner has issued a final order fixing the maximum ex-factory prices for 580gm ‘Type-A’ and ‘Type-B’ jute bags, effective for February 2025. The prices fixed by this notification are exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will be added to the ex-factory price and paid by the purchaser.
PM-KISAN: Implementation of new installments
With a view to augment the income of the Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs), the PM-KISAN scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of the SMFs in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle. This would also protect them from falling in the clutches of moneylenders for meeting such expenses and ensure their continuance in the farming activities.
India Tightens Wheat Stock Limits to Curb Hoarding and Stabilize Prices
The wheat stock limit for Traders and Wholesalers has been reduced from 1000 Metric Tonnes to 250 Metric Tonnes. The wheat stock limit for Retailers and Big Chain Retailers is fixed as 4 Metric Tonnes per retail outlet or per outlet, with the total stock limited to 4 Metric Tonnes multiplied by the total number of outlets and depots, as the case may be.
India’s Inflation Eases in January 2025, CPI Shows Decline
The Ministry of Statistics reports a 4.31% inflation rate for January 2025, with notable drops in food inflation for rural and urban sectors.
Government Extends PM-AASHA Scheme, Procures Soyabean and Groundnut to Support Farmers
The Indian government has approved the continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme until 2025-26. For Kharif 2024-25, the government approved soyabean procurement under PSS in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana. Groundnut procurement under PSS was approved for Kharif 2024-25 in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
