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October 20 Background India is known as the "Land of Spices" for good reason. It grows, uses, and sells more spices than any other country. Spices like chili, turmeric, and cumin add flavor to food worldwide, and India's industry is huge. Spices have been part of India's story for over 5,000 years. Ancient texts like the Vedas mention spices like turmeric and black pepper. India was the center of the global spice trade, attracting explorers like Vasco da Gama in 1498, who came for black pepper from Kerala. European powers set up...
August 29 WHAT? The Namo Drone Didi scheme is a Central Sector initiative launched by the Government of India in November 2023 to empower rural women through drone technology in agriculture. It aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), enabling them to offer drone services like spraying fertilizers and pesticides to farmers on a rental basis. The scheme includes training women (aged 18-50) as...
August 26 WHAT? The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is a newly approved six-year agricultural program (starting FY 2025-26) that converges 36 existing central schemes across 11 departments, along with state schemes, to enhance productivity and sustainability in 100 low-performing districts across India. The PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana to strengthen small and marginal farmers. Its focus is on storage, irrigation, affordable loans, and sustainable farming. The government claims that this will increase farmers' income and...
June 29 WHAT? Bhadradri Millet Magic refers to a brand of millet-based biscuits produced by the Srirama Joint Liability Group, a women’s Self-Help Group in Bhadrachalam, Telangana. These women, once agricultural laborers, have transitioned to producing healthy snacks made from millets like ragi and jowar, using natural ingredients such as butter, ghee, and jaggery, without artificial preservatives. The biscuits are sold locally in Kothagudem and Bhadrachalam, with plans to expand to Khammam, and have gained...
June 29 WHAT? The news reports that the southwest monsoon has covered the entire country nine days ahead of its normal onset date. This early progression is a significant development for India's agricultural sector, which relies heavily on monsoon rains for crop production, livestock support, and rural livelihoods. Key Details Early Arrival: The monsoon typically covers the whole country by July 8, but as of June 29, 2025, it has already advanced across all states, driven by favorable weather...
June 18 WHAT? The National Agriculture Code (NAC) is a comprehensive framework being developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s national standards body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, established under the BIS Act, 2016. Modeled after the National Building Code (NBC) of 2016 and the National Electrical Code (NEC) of 2023, the NAC aims to establish standardized guidelines for agricultural practices across the entire agricultural cycle. Announced in...
June 10 ABOUT COMPANY Oswal Pumps Limited, based in Karnal, Haryana, is a leading Indian manufacturer of pumps and motors, specializing in solar-powered and grid-connected solutions. Founded in 2003, the company has carved a niche in the renewable energy and agricultural sectors under the ‘Oswal’ brand. Business Overview Products: Solar pumps, submersible pumps, monoblock pumps, electric motors, and solar modules. They cater to agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial...
June 10 DATA ON SPICES EXPORTS Value and Growth: India's spice exports reached $4.72 billion in FY 2024-25, a 6% increase from $4.46 billion in FY 2023-24, marking a record high. In the first half (April-September 2024), exports were valued at ₹17,488 crore ($2.09 billion), up 8.8% from ₹16,065 crore ($1.95 billion) the previous year. Export Goal: The target for FY 2024-25 is $4.7 billion, with an ambitious goal of $10 billion by 2030 and reach $25 billion by 2047, leveraging its position as the largest producer and...
June 02 SUMMARY A recent report by the People Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE), titled “Reimagining Annadata Households and Their Livelihoods Beyond the Farm”, reveals that while 42.4% of rural Indian households earn some income from agriculture, only 20.7% are fully dependent on it. Key Findings Diversified Income Sources: Many agricultural households supplement their income through non-farming activities. On average, 33% of their income comes from sources like...
June 16 WHAT International Grains Council (IGC) is an inter-governmental organisation that administers the Grains Trade Convention (GTC). Grains Trade Convention is the only international treaty covering trade in grains, rice and oilseeds trade. The International Grains Agreement (IGA) is an international agreement focused on the grain trade which replaced the International Wheat Agreement (1995). IGA comprises of a Grains Trade Convention (GTC) and a Food Aid Convention (FAC). The IGA is administered by...
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