by Agrisnip Reporter | Jan 6, 2026 | Agri News, Import / Export
Industry information released on Monday showed that India’s urea purchases from other countries more than doubled to 7.17 million tonnes during the first eight months of the current financial year because the amount made in the government went down, which emphasises how much the nation depends on getting supplies from abroad to meet the needs of farmers.
According to information from the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), urea purchases from other countries rose by 120.3 per cent to 7.17 MT between April and November 2024-25, compared to 3.26 MT during the same time last year.
The amount of urea made in the country went down by 3.7 per cent to 19.75 MT during that same time period. The information showed that, overall, urea sales went up by 2.3 per cent to 25.40 MT.
FAI Chairman S. Sankarasubramanian said in a statement that, although sales have increased through organized planning, the need to obtain supplies from other countries — especially for urea and DAP — highlights the importance of handling the supply chain strategically.
Just in November, urea purchases from other countries went up by 68.4 per cent to 1.31 MT, compared to 0.78 MT in November 2024. Urea sales went up by 4.8 per cent to 3.75 MT in November compared to the year before.
Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), another important nutrient for soil, also saw an increased need to get it from other countries. DAP purchases from other countries now make up 67 per cent of the total supply, up from 56 per cent last year, even though sales remained steady at 7.12 MT between April and November of the 2025-26 financial year.
The amount of DAP made in the country went down by 5.2 per cent to 2.68 MT. The FAI said that the increase in purchases from other countries shows India’s plan to make sure there is always enough fertilizer available when crops need nutrients the most.
Complex NPK fertilizers showed strong growth, with the amount made going up by 13.8 per cent to 8.15 MT, and purchases from other countries almost doubled to 2.72 MT. Sales stayed at 10.38 MT between April and November of the current financial year.
Muriate of potash sales went up by 8.6% to 1.55 MT during the same time. In a positive sign for production in the country, single super phosphate (SSP) sales went up by 15 per cent to 4.16 MT, with the amount made going up by 9.5 per cent to 3.97 MT.
The FAI said that the SSP performance shows that farmers trust fertilizers made in the country and proves that the sector can provide phosphatic nutrients in the country at a good price and quality.
FAI Director General Dr Suresh Kumar Chaudhari said that there are two main takeaways from this information. He said that the first is the change towards managing supply by getting nitrogen and phosphate nutrients from other countries. The second is the strong performance of phosphatic fertilizers made in the country, like SSP, which have seen a 15 per cent increase in sales.
The central government subsidies urea, and prices have stayed the same at Rs 242 per 45 kg bag (not including neem coating costs and taxes) since November 1, 2012. Urea, which is considered a controlled item under the New Urea Policy, gets much higher subsidies compared to phosphatic fertilizers.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Jan 5, 2026 | Agri News, Global Agri
Presently, India is the top rice producer in the world, going past China, with a total amount of 150.18 million tonnes, according to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday, when he launched 184 new types of 25 crops.
These new seeds that produce more crops would help increase crop production and improve farmers’ earnings, he stated, while telling the ministry officials to make sure the farmers get these new types quickly.
The minister presented 184 better types of 25 farm crops created by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at an event in the country’s capital, according to an official announcement.
Yield success story
Speaking at the event, Chouhan mentioned that the country has had great success in creating seeds that produce more crops. Since the official process started in 1969, there have been 7,205 types of crops officially recognised, including rice, wheat, sorghum, maize, pulses, oilseeds, and fibre crops, among others.
Post-2014 boost
Chouhan shared that the government led by Narendra Modi has approved 3,236 types of high-yielding crops, which is more than the 3,969 types recognised between 1969 and 2014. The minister pointed out that India has changed from a country that did not have enough food to one that provides food to the world.
Chouhan said, “India now makes more rice than China and is the biggest producer in the world.” India’s rice production has reached 150.18 million tonnes, while China’s is at 145.28 million tonnes, he said, calling it an amazing accomplishment. India is now selling rice to other countries, he mentioned.
Chouhan stated that the country has lots of food stored, which ensures India has enough food for its people.Talking about the 184 new types launched on Sunday, the minister said that farmers will gain because they will help produce more crops of better quality. He stressed how important it is to make sure that every farmer gets good seeds.
Pulses, oilseeds focus.
The minister also requested farm scientists to concentrate on growing more pulses and oilseeds so that India can provide enough for itself.
Crop-wise breakup
Chouhan stated that the country has started a new era of agricultural progress, pushed by creating seeds that produce more and can handle different climates.
The Union minister stated that this achievement is because of the joint work of the ICAR’s All India Coordinated Projects on crops, agricultural universities at the state and central levels, and private seed companies.
The 184 types recently launched include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane, 24 cotton (including 22 Bt cotton), and one each of jute and tobacco.
These types, made by ICAR institutes, agricultural universities at the state/central levels, and private seed companies, can handle different climates, produce a lot, and resist major pests and diseases.
According to the announcement, these modern varieties were developed to tackle challenges like climatic shifts, highly saline earth, water scarcity, and similar environmental pressures, alongside promoting ecological and sustainable agricultural practices.
Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi mentioned that the rates of seed growth have been increased by 1.5 to 2 times to make more seeds available. National and state seed companies are making sure there are good seeds at prices people can afford, he added.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 31, 2025 | Agri News, Policies
New Delhi: The Indian agriculture sector is closing out 2025 on an incredibly positive note, marked by record-breaking production and significant financial relief for the farming community. Despite facing a complicated global environment and new trade taxes from countries like the US, India is set to surpass its previous foodgrain production record of 357.73 million tonnes.
This achievement is largely credited to a very successful monsoon season, which allowed the Kharif crop to reach a historic 173.33 million tonnes. With crops like rice and maize leading the way, and winter sowing for wheat and pulses looking stronger than last year, India has solidified its position as a food-secure nation even during times of global uncertainty.
One of the biggest wins for farmers this year has been the government’s decision to slash the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essential farming equipment. In September, the tax rate was reduced from 18% to 5% on various agricultural tools and machinery. This move has made modernising a farm much more affordable; for example, a farmer looking to buy a new tractor can now save anywhere between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh.
Beyond machinery, the government also provided relief to the dairy and livestock sector by making essential items like paneer, chhena, and UHT milk tax-free. These changes have directly reduced the daily cost of living and working for millions of rural households across the country.
While the domestic front looks bright, the export market required careful navigation this year due to new tariffs introduced by the United States. These taxes made it more expensive to sell Indian produce in American markets, but Indian exporters showed great resilience by quickly finding new buyers in other parts of the world.
As a result, agricultural exports for items like tea, coffee, and spices actually grew by 9% in the first half of the fiscal year. This ability to adapt has ensured that Indian farmers continue to have access to global customers despite shifting international trade policies.
Looking ahead to 2026, the government is preparing to introduce new laws specifically designed to protect farmers from the risks of low-quality or “fake” agricultural products. New bills concerning seeds and pesticides are expected to be passed to ensure that every input a farmer buys meets strict quality standards, preventing crop failure and financial loss.
Furthermore, with a massive budget of ₹1.37 lakh crore allocated for the coming year, there will be a stronger focus on crop insurance, fertiliser subsidies, and helping farmers switch to high-value crops. By combining record production with these protective new reforms, 2025 has set a strong foundation for a more profitable and secure future for Indian agriculture.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 30, 2025 | Agri Startups, Startoscope
A Founder Who Understood the Soil
The company started in 1986 in a small town called Jalgaon in Maharashtra. The founder, Bhavarlal Jain, did not come from a big city. He grew up in a farming family. He saw his parents and neighbours work from sunrise to sunset, but they always struggled. The biggest problem was water. Either there was too much of it, or there was none at all.
Bhavarlal had a simple goal: he wanted to make the farmer’s life easier. He didn’t want to just sell products; he wanted to solve the mystery of why Indian farms weren’t producing enough food. He believed that if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. This was the beginning of a journey that would eventually reach millions of farmers.
The Magic of Drip Irrigation
For a long time, Indian farmers used a method called “flood irrigation.” This meant they would pour huge amounts of water into the fields. Most of this water was wasted. It would either evaporate in the sun or run away into the dirt where there were no plants. It was like trying to give someone a drink by throwing a bucket of water at their face.
Jain Irrigation introduced Drip Irrigation. This system uses a network of thin plastic pipes with tiny holes. These holes are placed right next to the roots of each plant. Instead of a flood, the plant gets a slow, steady “drip” of water.
This changed everything. Farmers saved nearly 70% of their water. Because the water went straight to the roots, the plants grew much faster. Farmers also found they had fewer weeds because the areas between the plants stayed dry. This simple shift helped farmers grow more food using much less water.
Winning the Trust of the Village
In the beginning, it was very hard to sell this idea. Farmers were used to seeing their fields soaked with water. When they saw the tiny drips from the pipes, they didn’t believe it was enough. They thought their crops would die. Many were afraid to spend money on this new “plastic technology.”
Bhavarlal Jain knew he couldn’t just give speeches. He went into the heart of the villages. He set up “demo farms” where everyone could watch the crops grow. When farmers saw that their neighbours were growing huge bananas and healthy sugarcane with very little water, they finally started to trust the company. Jain Irrigation didn’t just act like a business; they acted like a helpful neighbour. They stayed in the villages, taught the farmers, and listened to their problems.
More Than Just Water: A Full Support System
As the years went by, the company realised that a farmer needs more than just a good watering system. To be successful, a farmer needs a complete plan. This is where Jain Irrigation became truly special. They started offering things that no one else was providing in rural India:
Better Plants: They built labs to grow “Tissue Culture” plants. These are baby plants that are guaranteed to be healthy and free of disease.
Solar Power: Many villages don’t have steady electricity. Jain Irrigation created solar pumps so farmers could water their crops using the power of the sun.
Buying the Crop:
The company built factories to buy fruits like mangoes and onions from the farmers. This meant the farmers didn’t have to worry about where to sell their harvest.
One of the best things about Jain Irrigation was its work with the government which made the farming affordable for everyone. New technology can be expensive for a poor farmer. The company worked to make sure farmers could get “subsidies,” which are financial help from the government. This made it possible for even the smallest farmer with a tiny piece of land to buy a drip system.
This effort turned dry, brown lands into green orchards. It didn’t just happen in India; soon, the company was taking its ideas to other countries like the USA and Israel. They showed the world that an Indian company could lead the way in modern farming.
A Lasting Change for the Future
Today, Jain Irrigation has faced some financial struggles because they grew so fast. However, their real success is seen in the fields of India. They changed the mindset of the Indian farmer. They proved that you don’t need a flood to grow a forest; you just need a few drops of water in the right place.
The story of Jain Irrigation is a story of hope. It shows that when you combine a love for the land with smart ideas, you can feed a nation. They taught everyone that every drop of water is a gift, and if we use it wisely, we will never go hungry.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 30, 2025 | Agri News, Farming
In Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, the central Minister for Home and Cooperation, Amit Shah, has greatly supported using natural farming everywhere in the country to help the environment. On December 25, during a meeting for farmers in Rewa, the Minister warned that using too many artificial fertilisers is the main cause of today’s many health issues.
He said that natural farming is good for more than just health, explaining that it has proven to be a good way to help farmers make at least 50 per cent more money, while also protecting the environment. In his speech, Amit Shah talked about a growing worry for families all over India: the rise in sicknesses caused by lifestyle, which comes from chemical substances. He stressed that farm chemicals eventually pollute the things we eat.
Shah stated, “Using too many chemical fertilisers is a big reason why we are seeing so many health problems now.” He argued that it is important to stop using these “poisons” and go back to using old, natural farming methods if we want to make sure the food we eat is safe and healthy for future generations.
Farmers often worry that stopping the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides might lead to smaller harvests or profits, but the Minister dismissed these worries by sharing his own experience with organic farming. He said that he does organic farming on his own land and has seen a rise in production instead of a drop, along with lower costs.
He says that using organic farming methods could help a farmer make nearly twice as much money, mostly by greatly cutting down on the need for expensive things like chemical fertilisers and pest control products. A farmer can effectively farm up to 21 acres of land just by using the waste from only one local cow.
This cheap method also helps protect natural resources because it uses much less water and makes the soil better at staying productive for a long time, which makes farming better for the environment and saves money.
To make it easier for farm workers to switch over, the central government is creating a “complete plan”. All over the country, more than 400 places will be set up to check and prove the quality of both the land and the farm products, according to Minister Shah.
This proving system will let farmers in India sell their harvests as “completely pure” or “grown without artificial inputs” on the global market, where people are very interested and will pay more. To watch over everything from checking and wrapping to sending unprocessed farm products overseas, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also started two big groups that work together.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 19, 2025 | Agri News
Uttar Pradesh is initiating a broad program to buy urad beans in order to support pulse farmers with guaranteed prices and quick payments. This effort, part of the NAFED initiative, aims for self-sufficiency in dal production through clear processes. It comes at an important moment, protecting farmers from unpredictable market fluctuations until the beginning of 2026.
In order to grow the urad market network, 50 specialised centres will be established throughout 17 districts, providing a base price of Rs 7,800 per quintal for urad. This initiative is part of the Aatmanirbhar Dal Yojana, with procurement continuing until January 29, 2026, and allowing for quick registration through the e-Samridhi app or local NAFED offices. Funds will be transferred directly to confirmed bank accounts within three days, eliminating intermediaries to ensure complete fairness. Important regions such as Lalitpur, Jhansi, Lucknow, Bareilly, and Sonbhadra are preparing for this initiative under the guidance of NAFED state leader Rohit Jaiman and the strategy of Managing Director Deepak Agarwal.
Qualified farmers just bring high-quality goods to these centres, gaining access to a support line (1800-210-1222) for assistance. The digital framework of the system guarantees immediate tracking and timely payments. This approach not only secures earnings but also promotes an increase in the cultivation of pulse crops, essential for the country’s nutritional security.
For Strengthening Rural Producers, clarity is essential at each stage, starting with e-registration and culminating in the final payment, fostering confidence in government-supported programs. By prioritising the needs of farmers, Uttar Pradesh establishes a standard for other regions regarding pulse procurement. Initial arrangements indicate a seamless implementation, which could elevate many small-scale farmers beyond mere survival.
The initiative supports the country’s objectives for self-sufficiency in edible oils and pulses, aiming to decrease reliance on imports. Those involved express excitement, noting that dependable profits are a significant improvement over previous unpredictability. In the end, this strengthens the resilience of agriculture, ensuring ongoing success for urad farmers.
