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    Agriculture

    The word agriculture is a late Middle English adaptation of Latin agricultūra, from ager 'field' and cultūra 'cultivation' or 'growing'. While agriculture usually refers to human activities, certain species of ant, termite and beetle have been cultivating crops for up to 60 million years. Agriculture is defined with varying scopes, in its broadest sense using natural resources to More

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    • UN warns Earth has entered ‘water bankruptcy’ as rivers and aquifers run dry

      A new UN report warns the world is spending its water “savings” faster than nature can replace them, raising fears of shortages, unrest and collapsing rivers unless urgent action follows.

    • A line on non-tariff barriers in the India-US trade framework is causing unease

      Some experts say references to non-tariff barriers in trade agreements are common, but the US has long cited India’s restrictions on genetically modified food imports as a significant barrier.

    • India-US deal protects core farm sectors; US fruits, nuts imports could rise: Experts

      While India continues to export significantly more agricultural products to the US than it imports, US farm exports of tree nuts, cotton and soybean oil to India could grow under the pact.

    • India likely to keep sensitive agriculture goods, dairy protected in US trade deal, govt source says

      The stance is in line with the country's long-standing approach to trade talks, under which sensitive farm and dairy products have been kept out

    • Union Budget 2026 | FM Sitharaman allocates Rs 12,200 cr for crop insurance scheme

      The Finance Minister announced launch of Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool that shall integrate the AgriStack portals and the ICAR package on agricultural practices with AI systems.

    • Budget 2026: FM proposes multilingual AI tool to integrate agri portals

      The finance minister said the proposed AI-based platform will help reduce risks faced by farmers by offering timely and tailored information across stages of agricultural activity

    • Economic Survey 2026 sows the seeds of urea price reforms to tackle fertiliser overuse

      The excessive use of urea is deteriorating soil health

    • Economic Survey: Agricultural, marine, food exports can hit $100 billion in 4 years

      Agriculture remains central to achieving Viksit Bharat. Enhancing research and development through coordinated public and private efforts to improve climate resilience, productivity, and farm incomes remain key priorities for the sector

    • India–EU trade talks near finish line, shaped by firm red lines on farms, industry and climate

      As a long-pending free trade agreement heads for signature, years of negotiations show where New Delhi and Brussels held their ground — and what each side hopes to gain.

    • Union Budget 2026: Agriculture segment eyes digital infra, rural credit reform

      Ahead of Budget 2026, agriculture and agritech stakeholders are calling for higher spending on green infrastructure, faster digital adoption, value chain modernisation and a shift toward nutrition led farming.

    • Budget 2026: Agri sector seeks higher outlay for infra, push for research, climate-smart farming

      EY notes that without climate-smart agriculture, the sector would face significant losses in the next 15 years.

    • US lawmakers push Trump to seek tariff relief on Indian pulse imports

      US senators from North Dakota and Montana want Trump to seek favourable pulse crop provisions in trade deal

    • Can the Union Budget lift sentiment for rural India?

      Sustained rural growth is critical for India’s broader economic momentum and relying on incentives alone will not be enough

    • India-EU FTA close to finish; sensitive agri goods to stay out

      The comments come amid expectations that European Union leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit New Delhi later this month for an India-EU summit.

    • India's agriculture grew at 4.42% during 2015-24 surpassing China’s 4.10%: NITI Aayog's Ramesh Chand

      As per the report by NITI Aayog's Ramesh Chand, India’s agriculture growth during 2015-24 stood at 4.42 percent, surpassing that of China’s at 4.10 percent.

    • Agriculture emerges as growth engine for ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’: Report

      The report highlights that India’s agriculture and allied sectors recorded their fastest growth phase between 2015–16 and 2024–25, with average annual growth of around 4.45 per cent — the highest in the country’s history

    • Record agri output in 2025 amid GST cuts, US tariffs; seed, pesticide bills eyed for 2026

      Above-normal southwest monsoons boosted kharif sowing, with the agriculture ministry's first advance estimate projected kharif foodgrain output at a record 173.33 MT for 2025-26, up from 169.4 MT in 2024-25.

    • India's rice stocks surge to record high as paddy procurement climbs

      The swelling stockpiles could allow the world's biggest rice exporter to boost shipments, putting pressure on supplies from rivals such as Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan

    • India keeps dairy, key agri goods, gold out of Oman trade deal

      As part of the trade deal, India will cut duties on about 78 percent of its tariff lines, covering nearly 95 percent of imports from Oman, with sensitive products given access mainly through tariff-rate quotas.

    • Andhra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka emerge as top states in bank credit to agriculture in FY25

      Among the regions, the major credit to the agriculture have gone to the southern region of Rs 11.46 lakh crore. Northern region received bank credit to agriculture of Rs 3.98 lakh crore, followed by Rs 3,76 lakh crore to the central region.

    • Meet Radha: India’s tiny buffalo who draws big crowds at just two feet tall

      Radha stands at only 2 ft 8 in tall. She lives on the farm of Trimbak Borate in Malawadi.

    • OPINION | India’s farmers and their tryst with the golden grain

      Contrary to initial forecasts, maize has overtaken sugarcane as the primary source of ethanol. It’s pushed up acreage under the crop but returns to farmers haven’t been commensurate. This situation should catalyse policy makers to revisit their package of incentives

    • World’s most expensive satellite Nisar sends first sharp look at India as science phase begins

      Nisar’s S-Band radar captured the Godavari River Delta with striking detail, showing mangroves, fields, arecanut crops and aquaculture ponds.

    • Virus-hit honey bee queens spark rebellion as workers sense weakness

      A new study shows viral infections weaken honeybee queens by reducing egg-laying and key pheromones, prompting workers to replace them and destabilising managed hives worldwide.

    • OPINION | The Seeds Bill, 2025, needs patient effort to build adequate support

      The last two attempts to introduce a new iteration of a law governing seeds ran into strong opposition. Government needs to take States and other stakeholders on board to successfully update the legal framework Siraj Hussain 

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