ARTICLE 2 #India Agriculture news

Kicking off the M.S. Swaminathan centenary commemorations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to protect the interest of the Indian farmer, fishing and dairying communities, whatever the risks or costs, and whatever price he might have to pay for it personally. The question: what is the price he and the country may have to pay?People of India value their sovereignty over any personal comfort or worldly needs. They will stoically absorb even short-term loss of jobs for national self-respect. Think of shrimp farmers, basmati and spices growers, carpet weavers, hosiery workers, and artisans mostly in Gujarat cutting diamonds, gems and fitting them into gold jewellery, all hit by 50 percent tariffs.

Over the years, India’s push for ethanol blending in petrol has delivered major gains — but growing pains in pricing and feedstock mix are now undercutting returns for many sugar mills.

New Delhi / Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is intensifying efforts to open and expand exports of distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to the Indian feed market. With livestock and poultry demand rising, India is viewed as a major growth opportunity for U.S. feed co‑products.

Maize Takes the Spotlight in India’s Kharif Season as Sowing Nears Finish Line New Delhi, India — As the Kharif sowing season edges closer to completion, maize has emerged as a standout performer, outperforming several other crops. Total area under Kharif crops is showing a modest uptick of about 1%, reflecting cautious optimism among farmers and officials.

Mumbai, July 23, 2025 — In a landmark shift for Maharashtra’s biofuel policy, the state government has issued an order permitting distilleries to use food grains such as maize and rice (in addition to sugarcane and molasses) for ethanol production — under a dual‑feed mechanism — for blending into petrol. The directive comes from the state home department and includes a key restriction: ethanol produced from these grains must not be diverted for liquor production.