by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 19, 2025 | Agri News
For the year 2026, the lowest price paid for dried coconut used to make oil increases significantly to Rs 12,027 per 100 kilograms, representing a substantial jump of Rs 445. The cost of dried coconut used for other purposes also increases by Rs 400, reaching Rs 12,500 per 100 kilograms. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this information after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and these prices are based on advice from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. Government groups like NAFED and NCCF will be responsible for purchasing the coconuts, making the process easier during the main harvest season from January to April in regions such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
This increase shows that the cost to grind dried coconut has gone up 129% since 2014—from 5,250 Rupees—and whole dried coconut is up 127% from 5,500 Rupees. This makes good on the promise in the 2018-19 budget to set the MSP at a minimum of 1.5 times the typical cost to produce, which helps more farming. Because items made from coconut are becoming more popular both locally and abroad, these actions close the gaps in supply while paying for farming that can last. Government workers think there will be bigger harvests and steady paychecks, which will make our food supply stronger with different farm products.
To keep the market steady on purpose, buying systems focus on decent, normal goods, cutting down on problems and making sure many farmers can take part. By giving more power to groups of farmers working together, this plan gets rid of unfair middlemen, so the farmers get the money themselves. If this keeps going, it might make India better known worldwide for selling coconuts, since there is more and more need each year for coconut oils, dried coconut, and better coconut items.
This careful way of setting prices helps people in the countryside make a living even when the weather is bad, and things cost more. Farmers should sign up quickly with the main groups to make sales easy. This plan, which focuses on dried coconut, shows a good way to run farming, putting fairness and getting bigger first.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 11, 2025 | Agri News
The US agritech company Corteva Agriscience is investing in hybrid wheat varieties specifically designed for India, to introduce commercial seeds within 10 to 15 years to enhance yields and facilitate the transition of land to crops such as corn for ethanol production and mustard for oil extraction.
Brook Cunningham, the President of Corteva’s Asia Pacific operations, has identified India as a key focus for this technology, which was announced a year ago, utilising local germplasm while navigating global scaling challenges that span 25 years. The hybrid varieties are expected to provide yield increases of 15 to 20% for smallholder farmers managing 0.3-hectare plots, with some varieties potentially offering income increases of 20 to 30%, thereby aligning with food security and export objectives in the face of climate change and population growth pressures.
Corteva has been operating in India since 1972 and has recorded an annual growth rate of 12%, reaching 150 million small farmers through the provision of accessible seeds, crop protection solutions, and biological products. The company maintains research hubs in Telangana and invests $1.4 billion globally in research and development, which constitutes 8% of its revenue, while employing artificial intelligence to expedite innovations without revealing specific figures for India. In addition to wheat, the company anticipates a 15% increase in corn acreage over the next two years with the introduction of new rainy season hybrids; Clearfield mustard hybrids were launched this year to facilitate scaling; and there is significant potential for rice hybridisation given the currently low adoption rates.
Cunningham underscored the mutual advantages of these initiatives: yield improvements that benefit farmers, value chains, and the company itself, thereby ensuring profitability. The technologies developed are designed to address pest resistance and the impacts of climate change, thereby bolstering India’s self-sufficiency in rice and wheat, as well as enhancing exports of fruits, vegetables, corn, and sustainable fuels. Having transitioned from a career in investment banking to join Corteva in 2022, she perceives the agricultural sector’s influence on smallholders as crucial, especially with the projected increase of 2 billion people globally over the next 25 years.
by Agrisnip Reporter | Dec 11, 2025 | Agri News
Beginning on October 1, India produced 4.1 million metric tonnes of sugar during the first two months of the 2025–2026 season, a 43% increase over the 2.88 million tonnes produced the year before. This robust growth stemmed from higher sugarcane recovery rates, rising to 8.51% from 8.29%, and accelerated crushing in major states. Maharashtra, India’s largest producer, saw production more than triple to 1.7 million tonnes, with 170 mills operating, up from 124 last year, while Uttar Pradesh’s output increased 9% to 1.4 million tonnes.
Karnataka experienced a slight decline to 774,000 tonnes from 812,000 tonnes due to farmer protests disrupting operations, though 75 mills were active compared to 71 previously. By late November, there were 428 mills operating nationwide, up from 376, thanks to improved monsoon conditions and healthier cane yields. The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories reported 48.6 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane crushed, yielding 41.35 lakh metric tonnes of sugar.
Despite the effects of flooding elsewhere, industry organisations like the Indian Sugar Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association predict full-season output at 30.95 to 34.9 million tonnes, supported by higher cane quality in key regions. This surplus facilitates exports without domestic shortages, the government already approved 1.5 million tonnes, and groups advocate an additional 1 million tonnes, given less ethanol diversion. However, worldwide pricing below domestic levels hampers agreements, leading to requests to boost the unaltered six-year-old floor price amid rising costs. Spot prices are pushed down by the spike, indicating a possible oversupply.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 5, 2025 | Farming
Farmers in Bhadauna village, Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh, are learning to cultivate distinctive varieties of turmeric — including black turmeric, kasturi turmeric, lakadong turmeric, as well as traditional turmeric — through sustainable organic farming methods. This hands-on training covers everything from land preparation, seed selection, planting, irrigation, to post-harvest processes such as curing, drying, packaging, and marketing.
Leading this initiative is Utkrishit Pandey, a former Assistant Commandant of the Shastra Seema Bal (SSB), who has adopted and is imparting organic farming techniques learned from an institute in Karnataka. Pandey’s seven-acre farm serves as a practical model for farmers from several districts across Uttar Pradesh to acquire skills that reduce input costs while improving income and soil health.
Pandey explained that growing these unique turmeric varieties organically takes around eight to nine months. One of the vital practices includes the use of natural manure sourced from cow urine and dung collected locally. This approach aims not only to increase farmers’ earnings but also to promote biodiversity and eco-friendly farming practices that restore soil fertility.
“We are also cultivating and promoting ‘kala namak’ rice — a heritage variety from eastern Uttar Pradesh — alongside these turmeric varieties,” Pandey said. The organic farming focus is widely embraced by the majority of farmers in the region, who have reported improved living standards as a result.
This initiative represents a broader movement toward sustainable agriculture in the state, enhancing the production of high-value crops through traditional yet scientifically guided organic methods, which appeal to both domestic and niche markets for organic turmeric products. Farmers in Bhadauna village of Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, are gaining hands-on training in organic farming for unique turmeric varieties, including black turmeric, kasturi turmeric, lakadong turmeric, and traditional turmeric. Under the guidance of former SSB official Utkrishit Pandey, who learned organic cultivation techniques from a Karnataka-based institute, farmers are mastering sustainable methods covering land preparation, seed selection, planting, irrigation, and post-harvest processes like curing, drying, packaging, and marketing.
Pandey, devoted to promoting eco-friendly farming that reduces input costs and supports soil health, emphasized the cultivation of these special turmeric varieties alongside ‘kala namak’ rice, a heritage crop from eastern UP. He noted that organic turmeric cultivation takes about eight to nine months and relies on natural manures such as cow urine and dung sourced locally.
This initiative not only helps farmers improve their incomes but also nurtures a sustainable agricultural system that protects the environment and restores soil fertility. The adoption of organic turmeric farming is rising steadily among local farmers, contributing to better living standards and opening opportunities in niche organic produce markets.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 5, 2025 | Policies
According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 10,786 farmers and agricultural workers ended their lives in 2023. Maharashtra accounted for the highest proportion with 38.5% of suicides, followed by Karnataka at 22.5%. Together, these two states contributed more than 60% of the tragic incidents.
The report classifies the victims as 4,690 farmers or cultivators and 6,096 agricultural laborers. Among the farmers who died by suicide, 4,553 were male and 137 female. Among the farm workers, 5,433 were male and 663 female. Farm suicides represented 6.3% of the total suicides in the country, which reached 1,71,418 in 2023.
Following Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh (8.6%), Madhya Pradesh (7.2%), and Tamil Nadu (5.9%) also reported significant numbers of farmer suicides. Meanwhile, states and territories including West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and a few others reported no suicides linked to farming, though some experts question the accuracy of these figures.
The All India Kisan Sabha President, Ashok Dhawale, criticized the central government’s policies, blaming them for the ongoing crisis. He expressed concerns that waiving import duties on cotton, a key crop in many affected regions, could worsen the situation. Dr. Dhawale urged the government to acknowledge the systemic nature of the problem and take robust action, noting that despite over 10,000 suicides annually in the farm sector over the past three years, the response has been inadequate.
He also pointed out discrepancies in the data from various states, suggesting that reported numbers might underrepresent the true extent of the crisis, particularly in states like West Bengal. The activist accused the government of prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of farmers, highlighting the urgent need for policy changes to address mental health and economic pressures in rural India.
by Shahu Pawar | Oct 4, 2025 | Editors Pick, Farming, Food
India has achieved a landmark in agriculture, registering an all-time high foodgrain output of 353.96 million tonnes for the 2024-25 season. This record includes 117.51 million tonnes of wheat and 149.07 million tonnes of rice, marking substantial growth over the previous year and reflecting the resilience of Indian farmers and advances in farm practices.
Central Role of Storage Infrastructure
With rising demand for both raw and processed food, robust storage systems are essential for year-round supply, food security, and preventing wastage. Modern warehouses, steel silos, and cold storage facilities—supported by dedicated government schemes—are enhancing the ability to maintain buffer stocks and facilitate stable supply through the Public Distribution System. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State agencies currently possess 917.83 lakh metric tonnes of covered and CAP storage capacity for central pool grains, complemented by 8,815 cold storage units with a collective capacity of 40.21 million metric tonnes for perishables.
Digital Transformation and Decentralized Storage
Decentralized storage solutions continue to expand, with the registration of 5,937 new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and the computerization of over 73,000 PACS as of June 2025. An additional outlay of ₹2,516 crore has been approved to further digitize PACS operations, boosting efficiency, transparency, and record-keeping throughout the agricultural supply chain.
Driving Agricultural Prosperity and Nutrition Security
Efficient and scientific storage—including bulk handling steel silos—helps minimize post-harvest losses and links farms to wider markets, empowering farmers to realize better returns. This infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting the food processing industry and ensuring nutritious food reaches every household. As production volumes hit historic highs, these advancements remain central to India’s commitment to food security and economic growth.
India’s focus on modernizing storage and supply chain management is transforming its agricultural landscape, enabling both greater prosperity for farmers and robust nutrition security for the nation.
