Topic
crop
Commodities UP Sugarcane Dues: Over 94% of Farmer Payments Cleared in Current Season
Uttar Pradesh has cleared over 94% of sugarcane dues to farmers in the current crushing season, with 99 sugar mills achieving 100% payment. An official statement from the Cane Development Department reported record crushing of 9,220 lakh tonnes over nine years and direct transfer of Rs 3.25 lakh crore to farmers, alongside higher productivity and sugar recovery rates.
Commodities Karnataka moong arrivals pick up as prices rule firm on lower crop
Moong arrivals have picked up in Karnataka's Gadag and Bagalkot markets as the new-season harvest begins, though trade sources report a lower crop on reduced acreage. Prices rule firm with machine-harvested moong at Rs 7,000-8,500 per quintal and hand-picked lots at Rs 8,600-10,300, while kharif acreage is down 4 per cent as of August 14, according to The Hindu BusinessLine.
Commodities India’s arabica coffee crop may be hit by deficit rain, pest attack
India's arabica coffee output for 2026-27 is under threat from uneven monsoon rains and white stem borer infestation in Karnataka and Kerala. The four key districts recorded rainfall deficits of 2–61%, and growers warn of a drop in arabica production. The Coffee Board's post-blossom estimate projects total output of 4.04 lakh tonnes.
Commodities FAIFA flags concern over Tobacco Board's 43% cut in FCV tobacco crop size
The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) has expressed concern over the Tobacco Board's decision to reduce authorised Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco crop size by 43 per cent for the upcoming season. FAIFA warned that the reduction could impose a fresh financial shock on farmers recovering from unsold stocks, weak price realisation and mounting debt. The association noted that unauthorised cultivation and competition from Zimbabwe, Brazil, Zambia and Malawi have contributed to the demand-supply imbalance.
Commodities Groundnut acreage up 9% as farmers in UP, MP expand area
Groundnut acreage in the ongoing kharif season rose nearly 9% to 46.82 lakh hectares as of August 7, driven by MSP procurement assurance and monsoon rains. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh posted sharp gains, while Gujarat and Karnataka saw declines. Wholesale mandi prices eased to around ₹7,073 per quintal from ₹7,333 on July 15.
Commodities India's arecanut acreage rises 30% as production falls, Karnataka output declines
India's arecanut acreage rose about 30% over five years to 11.06 lakh hectares in 2025-26, while production dropped to 15.29 lakh tonnes and productivity fell. Karnataka, accounting for over 70% of area, saw production decline 16% despite a 32.42% acreage increase, as diseases hit plantations.
Commodities India Set to Plant World's First Gene-Edited Rice Variety This Rabi Season
India's ICAR is set to sign an MoU with Corteva this month to commercially release Pusa DST Rice 1, the world's first gene-edited rice variety. The variety, developed by IARI, will undergo seed multiplication in the upcoming rabi season, with transplanting expected around November. Field trials showed significantly higher yields than the parent line MTU1010 under salinity and alkalinity stress.
Commodities Global Wheat Output May Drop 23 Million Tonnes Next Season on Iran War, El Nino
Global wheat production is projected to decline by 23 million tonnes in 2026-27 as El Niño and the Iran conflict curb acreage and raise fertiliser costs, according to The Hindu BusinessLine. IGC pegs output at 821 mt versus 844 mt this season, with ending stocks falling to 279 mt. CBOT wheat futures trade near $6.54 per bushel as analysts see a price floor from supply risks.
Commodities India’s cotton sowing crosses 100 lakh hectares as monsoon picks up, area expands in key states
India’s cotton sowing area has crossed 100 lakh hectares as the monsoon gathers pace across key producing states. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have recorded increases compared to last year. Stakeholders report good crop condition and expect the area to surpass last year’s levels, with sowing window extended to August 25.
Commodities India's 2026-27 pulses crop hinges on August-September rains, says IPGA chairman
India's 2026-27 kharif pulses crop size will depend on August-September rainfall rather than area sown, according to IPGA chairman Bimal Kothari. Sowing has picked up but overall acreage trails last year, with tur (pigeon pea) area down. Below-normal rains forecast could affect crop maturity, but current supply is abundant and prices are below MSP. Kothari warns that deficient rains could impact the rabi crop in 2027.
Commodities India's Potato Seed Ecosystem: The Foundation for Future Farming Prosperity
India, the world's second-largest potato producer, suffers from a productivity gap with average yields of 28-30 tonnes per hectare, half of global leaders. A fragmented seed ecosystem and low Seed Replacement Rate (25-30%) are primary causes. Transitioning to an organized seed marketing system with digital intelligence can boost yields, reduce crop failure risks, and align with growing demand from frozen food and QSR sectors.
Commodities 10% Monsoon Deficit Hits Kharif Output: Government Warns of Production Decline Risks
The Indian government stated that kharif foodgrain production declines when the all-India monsoon rainfall deficiency exceeds about 10%, citing major drought/El Niño years. Meanwhile, cotton production has fallen due to diversification, while spices parks processed over 52,000 tonnes and e-NAM interstate trade surged.
Commodities Lower area under arhar in India’s Karnataka unlikely to be offset elsewhere
India's kharif arhar (pigeon pea) sowing area fell 18% year-on-year as of July 17, driven by a 42% decline in Karnataka. While Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh reported increases, experts said the overall area may still fall short of the government's 50 lakh hectare target needed for 4 million tonnes production in 2026.
Commodities India’s moong sowing dips 11% on lower rainfall, likely to gather pace
India’s moong sowing has dropped 11% from the previous year due to lower rainfall in key states, according to government data. However, recent rains are expected to help acreage recover to at least last year’s level. Farmers continue to grow moong despite prices averaging 26% below the minimum support price.
Commodities Kharif Sowing Acreage Down 6% as Sowing Completes in 60% of Normal Area, Says Agriculture Ministry
India's kharif sowing acreage reached 531.25 lakh hectares as of July 17, down 6% from 632.69 lh a year ago, according to the Agriculture Ministry. The deficit narrowed from 21% in early July due to surplus monsoon rains. Paddy coverage is nearly on par, while pulses and oilseeds still lag. The government targets a foodgrain production of 176.16 mt for the season.
Commodities India's Sugar Mills Prepare for 2026-27 Crushing Season with FRP Hike and Ethanol Strategy Shift
India's sugar industry is preparing for the 2026-27 crushing season with the FRP set at ₹365/quintal, a 2.81% increase. Mills face a strategic shift as ethanol blending surpasses 20%, with grain-based sources now dominating 70% of supply. The article highlights the need for feedstock flexibility, treasury planning, and maintenance readiness to navigate the season.
Commodities Wheat Production Likely Affected by Climate This Year, Experts Warn at Conclave
At the Wheat Products Promotion Society CEO Conclave in Varanasi, experts warned that El Nino could impact wheat production this year, with delayed kharif harvest and potential drought. Despite geopolitical tensions, global wheat markets remain well supplied, anchored by Black Sea region stocks, limiting price rises.
Commodities India's Coffee Output for 2026-27 Projected Up 8% at 4.04 Lakh Tonnes, Coffee Board Says
The Coffee Board of India's post-blossom estimate projects coffee output for the 2026-27 crop year at 4.04 lakh tonnes, an 8% increase from the final 2025-26 estimate of 3.73 lakh tonnes. Karnataka leads production with higher arabica and robusta output, while uneven pre-monsoon showers and USDA FAS's lower projection add uncertainty.
Commodities India's kharif sowing reaches 48% of normal area; paddy deficit narrows to 9%
As of July 10, India's kharif sowing covered 531.25 lakh hectares, 48% of the normal area and 16% lower year-on-year. Paddy transplanting deficit narrowed to 9% from 13% a week earlier, but pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals saw double-digit declines. Monsoon rainfall deficit stood at 19% for June 1-July 13, raising concerns for future sowing.
Commodities India Monsoon Deficit Narrows Sharply but Weak Kharif Sowing Persists: Report
India's monsoon deficit has narrowed sharply to 15% below normal from 38% a week earlier, driven by 45% above-normal rainfall. However, Kharif sowing remains significantly behind last year's pace, with total sowing down 20.8% year-on-year, posing risks for agricultural production. Reservoir levels improved but are still 36% lower than last year.
Commodities Plum Harvest Begins in Kashmir Amid Hailstorm Damage and Weather Setbacks
Plum harvesting has begun in the Kashmir Valley, but repeated hailstorms have bruised the crop, forcing farmers to sell at low prices. The India Meteorological Department recorded 10-12 hailstorm spells over the past two months, damaging fruit quality. Growers warn that extreme weather threatens the livelihoods of thousands of horticulture-dependent families.
Commodities Kharif Sowing Slumps 23% as Delayed Monsoon Hits India's Key Crops; Reservoir Storage at 26%
Kharif sowing in India has slumped 23% to 182.72 lakh hectares as of June 25, 2026, compared to 236.46 lakh hectares a year ago, due to a delayed and deficient southwest monsoon. Key reservoirs are at 26.37% of full capacity, with 29 reservoirs below 50% of normal storage. Paddy acreage fell 25.17%, pulses 30.47%, and oilseeds 53.33%, raising concerns for agricultural output.
Commodities El Nino Threatens India's Sugarcane Production, Weakening Monsoon Adds Risk
A developing El Nino weather pattern could weaken India's monsoon and weigh on sugarcane production. Industry experts warn output could drop to 390 million tonnes if July-August rainfall disappoints, tightening sugar supplies.
Commodities El Nino and Weak Monsoon Pose Greater Threat to India Than US-Iran Conflict
India's weak monsoon, driven by El Nino, presents a more significant economic threat than the recent US-Iran conflict. Cumulative rainfall is 42% below normal, reservoir levels have dropped to 27.7% of capacity, and risks to inflation and rural incomes are mounting. Historical parallels with 2019 and 2023 offer some hope but uncertainty remains.
Commodities India's Foodgrain Reserves Hit Record 122 mt as El Nino Looms Over 2026 Kharif Crop
India's Central Pool foodgrain reserves hit a record 122.64 million tonnes as of June 1, 2026, sufficient to sustain welfare programmes for over two years. This buffer comes as El Nino threatens the 2026 kharif crop, with the government targeting 176.16 mt of foodgrain production despite a below-normal monsoon forecast.
Commodities Kharif Pulses Sowing Off to a Weak Start: Acreage Down 43% as of June 12
Kharif pulses sowing in India has started weakly with acreage down 43% as of June 12 due to a delayed and deficient monsoon. Tur acreage fell 57%, urad 22%, and moong 55% compared to last year. Farmers in key regions await rains, while the government holds buffer stocks of 4.3-4.5 million tonnes to keep prices in check.
Commodities India Soyabean Acreage Seen Rising Up to 10% on High Prices, Weak Monsoon Outlook
India's soyabean acreage is expected to rise by up to 10% in 2026, from 12 million hectares in 2025, driven by four-year-high prices and a forecast of below-normal monsoon rainfall due to El Nino. Farmers are shifting from water-intensive crops like sugarcane and corn. Higher output could help curb edible oil imports and ease domestic soyabean and soyameal prices.
Commodities El Nino May Weaken India's Monsoon, Threaten Rice and Maize Output, FAO Warns
The FAO has warned that the newly begun El Nino phase may weaken India's summer monsoon, putting rainfed crops like rice and maize under stress during the kharif season. Historical analysis shows that during the 2015-16 El Nino, India's maize output fell by 4% and rice dropped by 1%, while Southeast Asia lost about 15 million tonnes of rice. The agency also flagged that disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are raising energy and fertiliser costs as farmers prepare for sowing.
Commodities India's Monsoon Boosted by IoD Amid El Nino Concerns
India's monsoon season could see improved rainfall due to a potential positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IoD) event, despite the looming threat of El Nino. The Bureau of Meteorology reports sea surface temperatures have crossed the El Nino threshold, but a positive IoD could enhance monsoon rains.
Commodities Delayed Monsoon Affects Indian Agriculture Markets
The delayed monsoon in India, influenced by El Niño, is impacting agricultural commodity markets. Key regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan face below-normal rainfall, affecting crop forecasts.